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WITH MY BACK AGAINST A GOLDEN THRONE, I FOUGHT ONCE AGAIN 
FOR DEJAH THORIS. 

Frontispiece {Page 298) 













A PRINCESS 
OF MARS 

BY 

EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS 


AUTHOR OF 

TARZAN OF THE APES, THE RETURN OF 
TARZAN, THE BEASTS OF TARZAN, Etc. 


ILLUSTRATED BY 

FRANK E. SCHOONOVER 




NEW YORK 

GROSSET & DUNLAP 

PUBLISHERS 


Vv, 


Made in the United State* of America 










•ft <*** 
T*. 

e -Vi 


Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 
1917 


Published October, 1917 
Copyrighted in Great Britain 

r, n 

t- f 




1 


Co Mv 

JACK 


% 

































FOREWORD 


f o the Reader of this Work: 

In submitting Captain Carter’s strange manu¬ 
script to you in book form, I believe that a few 
words relative to this remarkable personality will 
be of interest. 

My first recollection of Captain Carter is of 
the few months he spent at my father’s home in 
Virginia, just prior to the opening of the civil 
war. I was then a child of but five years, yet I 
well remember the tall, dark, smooth-faced, 
athletic man whom I called Uncle Jack. 

He seemed always to be laughing; and he en¬ 
tered into the sports of the children with the same 
hearty good fellowship he displayed toward those 
pastimes in which the men and women of his own 
age indulged; or he would sit for an hour at a time 
entertaining my old grandmother with stories of 
his strange, wild life in all parts of the world. We 
all loved him, and our slaves fairly worshipped 
the ground he trod. 

He was a splendid specimen of manhood, stand- 
[vii] 


FOREWORD 


ing a good two inches over six feet, broad of 
shoulder and narrow of hip, with the carriage 
of the trained fighting man. His features were 
regular and clear cut, his hair black and closely 
cropped, while his eyes were of a steel gray, 
reflecting a strong and loyal character, filled with 
fire and initiative. His manners were perfect, and 
his courtliness was that of a typical southern 
gentleman of the highest type. 

His horsemanship, especially after hounds, was 
a marvel and delight even in that country of mag¬ 
nificent horsemen. I have often heard my father 
caution him against his wild recklessness, but he 
would only laugh, and say that the tumble that 
killed him would be from the back of a horse yet 
unfoaled. 

When the war broke out he left us, nor did I 
see him again for some fifteen or sixteen years. 
When he returned it was without warning, and I 
w r as much surprised to note that he had not aged 
apparently a moment, nor had he changed in any 
other outward way. He was, when others were 
with him, the same genial, happy fellow we had 
known of old, but when he thought himself alone 
I have seen him sit for hours gazing off into space, 
his face set in a look of wistful longing and hope- 
[viii] 






FOREWORD 


less misery; and at night he would sit thus looking 
up into the heavens, at what I did not know until 
I read his manuscript years afterward. 

He told us that he had been prospecting and 
mining in Arizona part of the time since the war; 
and that he had been very successful was evidenced 
by the unlimited amount of money with which he 
was supplied. As to the details of his life during 
these years he was very reticent, in fact he would 
not talk of them at all. 

He remained with us for about a year and then 
went to New York, where he purchased a little 
place on the Hudson, where I visited him once a 
year on the occasions of my trips to the New York 
market—my father and I owning and operating a 
string of general stores throughout Virginia at that 
time. Captain Carter had a small but beautiful 
cottage, situated on a bluff overlooking the river, 
and during one of my last visits, in the winter of 
1885 , I observed he was much occupied in writ¬ 
ing, I presume now, upon this manuscript. ■] 

He told me at this time that if anything should 
happen to him he wished me to take charge of his 
estate, and he gave me a key to a compartment 
in the safe which stood in his study, telling me I 
would find his will there and some personal instruc- 
[«] 



FOREWORD 


tions which he had me pledge myself to carry out 
with absolute fidelity. 

After I had retired for the night I have seen 
him from my window standing in the moonlight 
on the brink of the bluff overlooking the Hudson 
with his arms stretched out to the heavens as 
though in appeal. I thought at the time that he 
was praying, although I never had understood that 
he was in the strict sense of the term a religious 
man. 

Several months after I had returned home from 
my last visit, the first of March, 1886, I think, 
I received a telegram from him asking me to come 
to him at once. I had always been his favorite 
iamong the younger generation of Carters and so I 
hastened to comply with his demand. 

I arrived at the little station, about a mile from 
his grounds, on the morning of March 4, 1886, 
and when I asked the livery man to drive me out 
to Captain Carter’s he replied that if I was a 
friend of the Captain’s he had some very bad news 
for me; the Captain had been found dead shortly 
after daylight that very morning by the watchman 
attached to an adjoining property. 

For some reason this news did not surprise 
me, but I hurried out to his place as quickly as 
[x] 



FOREWORD 


possible, so that I could take charge of the body 
and of his affairs. 

I found the watchman who had discovered him, 
together with the local police chief and several 
townspeople, assembled in his little study. The 
watchman related the few details connected with 
the finding of the body, which he said had been 
still warm when he came upon it. It lay, he said, 
stretched full length in the snow with the arms 
outstretched above the head toward the edge of 
the bluff, and when he showed me the spot it 
flashed upon me that it was the identical one where 
I had seen him on those other nights, with his 
arms raised in supplication to the skies. 

There were no marks of violence on the body, 
and with the aid of a local physician the coroner’s 
jury quickly reached a decision of death from 
heart failure. Left alone in the study, I opened 
the safe and withdrew the contents of the drawer 
in which he had told me I would find my instruc¬ 
tions. They were in part peculiar indeed, but I 
have followed them to each last detail as faith¬ 
fully as I was able. 

He directed that I remove his body to Virginia 
without embalming, and that he be laid in an 
open coffin within a tomb which he previously had 
[xi] 



FOREWORD 


had constructed and which, as I later learned, was 
well ventilated. The instructions impressed upon 
me that I must personally see that this was car¬ 
ried out just as he directed, even in secrecy if 
necessary. 

His property was left in such a way that I was 
to receive the entire income for twenty-five years, 
when the principal was to become mine. His 
further instructions related to this manuscript 
which I was to retain sealed and unread, just as I 
found it, for eleven years; nor was I to divulge 
its contents until twenty-one years after his death. 

A strange feature about the tomb, where his 
body still lies, is that the massive door is equipped 
with a single, huge gold-plated spring lock which 
can be opened only from the inside . 

Yours very sincerely, 

Edgar Rice Burroughs. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I 

On the Arizona Hills . 





PAGE 

i 

II 

The Escape of the Dead 





14 

III 

My Advent on Mars 





22 

IV 

A Prisoner. 





35 

V 

I Elude My Watch Dog 





46 

VI 

A Fight That Won Friends 





54 

VII 

Child-Raising on Mars 





62 

VIII 

A Fair Captive from the Sky 





72 

IX 

I Learn the Language 





82 

X 

Champion and Chief 





89 

XI 

With Dejah Thoris 





106 

XII 

A Prisoner with Power 





118 

XIII 

Love-Making on Mars 





128 

XIV 

A Duel to the Death 





139 

XV 

Sola Tells Me Her Story . 





155 

XVI 

We Plan Escape 





170 

XVII 

A Costly Recapture 





188 

XVIII 

Chained in Warhoon . 





202 

XIX 

Battling in the Arena . 





210 

XX 

In the Atmosphere Factory 

• 




219 

XXI 

An Air Scout for Zodanga 





235 

XXII 

I Find Dejah .... 





252 

XXIII 

Lost in the Sky 





270 

XXIV 

Tars Tarkas Finds a Friend 





281 

XXV 

The Looting of Zodanga . 





294 

XXVI 

Through Carnage to Joy . 





303 

XXVII 

From Joy to Death 





314 

KXVIII 

At the Arizona Cave . „ 

or 

• 



32* 









































> 


























* 





















A PRINCESS OF MARS 


CHAPTER I 

ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 

I AM a very old man; how old I do not know. 

Possibly I am a hundred, possibly more; but 
I cannot tell because I have never aged as other 
men, nor do I remember any childhood. So far 
as I can recollect I have always been a man, a 
man of about thirty. I appear today as I did 
forty years and more ago, and yet I feel that I 
cannot go on living forever; that some day I shall 
die the real death from which there is no resurrec¬ 
tion. I do not know why I should fear death, 
I who have died twice and am still alive; but yet 
I have the same horror of it as you who have 
never died, and it is because of this terror of death, 
I believe, that I am so convinced of my mortality. 

And because of this conviction I have determined 
to write down the story of the interesting periods 
of my life and of my death. I cannot explain the 
phenomena; I can only set down here in the words 
[i] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS _ 

of an ordinary soldier of fortune a chronicle of the 
strange events that befell me during the ten years 
that my dead body lay undiscovered in an Arizona 
cave. 

I have never told this story, nor shall mortal 
man see this manuscript until after I have passed 
over for eternity. I know that the average human 
mind will not believe what it cannot grasp, and so 
I do not purpose being pilloried by the public, the 
pulpit, and the press, and held up as a colossal 
liar when I am but telling the simple truths which 
some day science will substantiate. Possibly the 
suggestions which I gained upon Mars, and the 
knowledge which I can set down in this chronicle, 
will aid in an earlier understanding of the mysteries 
of our sister planet; mysteries to you, but no 
longer mysteries to me. 

My name is John Carter; I am better known 
as Captain Jack Carter of Virginia. At the close 
of the Civil War I found myself possessed of 
several hundred thousand dollars (Confederate) 
and a captain’s commission in the cavalry arm of 
an army which no longer existed; the servant of a 
state which had vanished with the hopes of the 
South. Masterless, penniless, and with my only 
imans of livelihood, fighting, gone, I determined 
[ 2 ] 





ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 


to work my way to the southwest and attempt to 
retrieve my fallen fortunes in a search for gold. 

I spent nearly a year prospecting in company 
with another Confederate officer, Captain James 
K. Tpov/ell of Richmond. We were extremely 
fortunate, for late in the winter of 1865 , after 
many hardships and privations, we located the 
most remarkable gold-bearing quartz vein that 
our wildest dreams had ever pictured. Powell, 
who was a mining engineer by education, stated 
that we had uncovered over a million dollars worth 
of ore in a trifle over three months. 

As our equipment was crude in the extreme we 
decided that one of us must return to civilization, 
purchase the necessary machinery and return with 
a sufficient force of men properly to work the 
mine. 

As Powell was familiar with the country, as well 
as with the mechanical requirements of mining we 
determined that it would be best for him to make 
the trip. It was agreed that I was to hold down 
our claim against the remote possibility of its being 
jumped by some wandering prospector. 

On March 3 , 1866 , Powell and I packed his 
provisions on two of our burros, and bidding me 
good-bye he mounted his horse, and started down 
[ 3 ] 





A PRINCESS OF MARS 


the mountainside toward the valley, across which 
led the first stage of his journey. 

The morning of Powell’s departure was, like 
nearly all Arizona mornings, clear and beautiful; 
I could see him and his little pack animals picking 
their way down the mountainside toward the 
valley, and all during the morning I would catch 
occasional glimpses of them as they topped a hog 
back or came out upon a level plateau. My last 
sight of Powell was about three in the afternoon 
as he entered the shadows of the range on the 
opposite side of the valley. 

Some half hour later I happened to glance 
casually across the valley and was much surprised 
to note three little dots in about the same place I 
had last seen my friend and his two pack animals. 
I am not given to needless worrying, but the more 
I tried to convince myself that all was well with 
Powell, and that the dots I had seen on his trail 
were antelope or wild horses, the less I was able 
to assure myself. 

Since we had entered the territory we had not 
seen a hostile Indian, and we had, therefore, 
become careless in the extreme, and were wont to 
ridicule the stories we had heard of the great 
numbers of these vicious marauders that were sup- 
[ 4 ] 



ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 


posed to haunt the trails, taking their toll in lives 
and torture of every white party which fell into 
their merciless clutches. 

Powell, I knew, was well armed and, further, 
an experienced Indian fighter; but I too had lived 
and fought for years among the Sioux in the 
North, and I knew that his chances were small 
against a party of cunning trailing Apaches. 
Finally I could endure the suspense no longer, and, 
arming myself with my two Colt revolvers and a 
carbine, I strapped two belts of cartridges about 
me and catching my saddle horse, started down the 
trail taken by Powell in the morning. 

As soon as I reached comparatively level ground 
I urged my mount into a canter and continued this, 
where the going permitted, until, close upon dusk, 
I discovered the point where other tracks joined 
those of Powell. They were the tracks of unshod 
ponies, three of them, and the ponies had been 
galloping. 

I followed rapidly until, darkness shutting down, 
I was forced to await the rising of the moon, and 
given an opportunity to speculate on the question 
of the wisdom of my chase. Possibly I had con¬ 
jured up impossible dangers, like some nervous 
old housewife, and when I should catch up with 

m 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Powell would get a good laugh for my pains. 
However, I am not prone to sensitiveness, and 
the following of a sense of duty, wherever it may 
lead, has always been a kind of fetich with me 
throughout my life; which may account for the 
honors bestowed upon me by three republics and 
the decorations and friendships of an old and 
powerful emperor and several lesser kings, in 
whose service my sword has been red many a 
time. 

About nine o’clock the moon was sufficiently 
bright for me to proceed on my way and I had 
no difficulty in following the trail at a fast walk, 
and in some places at a brisk trot until, about mid¬ 
night, I reached the water hole where Powell had 
expected to camp. I came upon the spot unex¬ 
pectedly, finding it entirely deserted, with no signs 
of having been recently occupied as a camp. 

I was interested to note that the tracks of the 
pursuing horsemen, for such I was now convinced 
they must be, continued after Powell with only a 
brief stop at the hole for water; and always at the 
same rate of speed as his. 

I was positive now that the trailers were 
Apaches and that they wished to capture Powell 
alive for the fiendish pleasure of the torture, so I 
[ 6 ] 




ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 


urged my horse onward at a most dangerous pace, 
hoping against hope that I would catch up with 
the red rascals before they attacked him. 

Further speculation was suddenly cut short by 
the faint report of two shots far ahead of me. I 
knew that Powell would need me now if ever, 
and I instantly urged my horse to his topmost 
speed up the narrow and difficult mountain trail. 

I had forged ahead for perhaps a mile or more 
without hearing further sounds, when the trail 
suddenly debouched onto a small, open plateau 
near the summit of the pass. I had passed through 
a narrow, overhanging gorge just before entering 
suddenly upon this table land, and the sight which 
met my eyes filled me with consternation and 
dismay. 

The little stretch of level land was white with 
Indian tepees, and there were probably half a 
thousand red warriors clustered around some 
object near the center of the camp. Their atten¬ 
tion was so wholly riveted to this point of interest 
that they did not notice me, and I easily could have 
turned back into the dark recesses of the gorge and 
made my escape with perfect safety. The fact, 
however, that this thought did not occur to me 
until the following dav removes any possible right 
*[ 7 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


to a claim to heroism to which the narration of 
this episode might possibly otherwise entitle me. 

I do not believe that I am made of the stuff 
which constitutes heroes, because, in all of the 
hundreds of instances that my voluntary acts have 
placed me face to face with death, I cannot recall 
a single one where any alternative step to that I 
took occurred to me until many hours later. My 
mind is evidently so constituted that I am sub¬ 
consciously forced into the path of duty without 
recourse to tiresome mental processes. However 
that may be, I have never regretted that cowardice 
is not optional with me. 

In this instance I was, of course, positive that 
Powell was the center of attraction, but whether 
I thought or acted first I do not know, but within 
an instant from the moment the scene broke upon 
my view I had whipped out my revolvers and was 
charging down upon the entire army of warriors, 
shooting rapidly, and whooping at the top of my 
lungs. Single handed, I could not have pursued 
better tactics, for the red men, convinced by sudden 
surprise that not less than a regiment of regulars 
was upon them, turned and fled in every direction 
for their bows, arrows, and rifles. 

The view which their hurried routing disclosed 

[ 8 ] 



ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 


filled me with apprehension and with rage. Under 
the clear rays of the Arizona moon lay Powell, 
his body fairly bristling with the hostile arrows of 
the braves. That he was already dead I could not 
but be convinced, and yet I would have saved his 
body from mutilation at the hands of the Apaches 
as quickly as I would have saved the man himself 
from death. 

Riding close to him I reached down from the 
saddle, and grasping his cartridge belt drew him 
up across the withers of my mount. A backward 
glance convinced me that to return by the way I 
had come would be more hazardous than to con¬ 
tinue across the plateau, so, putting spurs to my 
poor beast, I made a dash for the opening to the 
pass which I could distinguish on the far side of 
the table land. 

The Indians had by this time discovered that I 
was alone and I was pursued with imprecations, 
arrows, and rifle balls. The fact that it is difficult 
to aim anything but imprecations accurately by 
moonlight, that they were upset by the sudden and 
unexpected manner of my advent, and that I was a 
rather rapidly moving target saved me from the 
various deadly projectiles of the enemy and per¬ 
mitted me to reach the shadows of the surround- 
[ 9 ] 





A PRINCESS OF MARS 


mg peaks before an orderly pursuit could be 
organized. 

My horse was traveling practically unguided as 
I knew that I had probably less knowledge of the 
exact location of the trail to the pass than he, and 
thus it happened that he entered a defile which 
led to the summit of the range and not to the pass 
which I had hoped would carry me to the valley 
and to safety. It is probable, however, that to this 
fact I owe my life and the remarkable experiences 
and adventures which befell me during the follow¬ 
ing ten years. 

My first knowledge that I was on the wrong 
trail came when I heard the yells of the pursuing 
savages suddenly grow fainter and fainter far off 
to my left. 

I knew then that they had passed to the left of 
the jagged rock formation at the edge of the 
plateau, to the right of which my horse had borne 
me and the body of Powell. 

I diew rein on a little level promontory over¬ 
looking the trail below and to my left, and saw 
the party of pursuing savages disappearing around 
the point of a neighboring peak. 

I knew the Indians would soon discover that 
they were on the wrong trail and that the search 
[io] 




ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 


for me would be renewed in the right direction as 
soon as they located my tracks. 

I had gone but a short distance further when 
what seemed to be an excellent trail opened up 
around the face of a high cliff. The trail was 
level and quite broad and led upward and in the 
^general direction I wished to go. The cliff arose 
for several hundred feet on my right, and on my 
left was an equal and nearly perpendicular drop 
te the bottom of a rocky ravine. 

I had followed this trail for perhaps a hundred 
yards when a sharp turn to the right brought me 
> to the mouth of a large cave. The opening was 
about four feet in height and three to four feet 
| wide, and at this opening the trail ended, 
j It was now morning, and, with the customary 
lack of dawn which is a startling characteristic of 
Arizona, it had become daylight almost without 
warning. 

Dismounting, I laid Powell upon the ground, 
but the most painstaking examination failed to 

I reveal the faintest spark of life. I forced water 
from my canteen between his dead lips, bathed his 
face and rubbed his hands, working over him con¬ 
tinuously for the better part of an hour in the face 
of the fact that I knew him to be dead. 

[ii] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I was very fond of Powell; he was thoroughly 
a man In every respect; a polished southern gentle¬ 
man; a staunch and true friend; and it was with a 
feeling of the deepest grief that I finally gave up 
my crude endeavors at resuscitation. 

Leaving Powell’s body where it lay on the ledge 
I cre^t into the cave to reconnoiter. I found a 
large chamber, possibly a hundred feet in diam¬ 
eter and thirty or forty feet in height; a smooth 
and well-worn floor, and many other evidences that 
the cave had, at some remote period, been in¬ 
habited. The back of the cave was so lost in dense 
shadow that I could not distinguish whether there 
were openings into other apartments or not. 

As I was continuing my examination I com¬ 
menced to feel a pleasant drowsiness creeping over 
me which I attributed to the fatigue of my long 
and strenuous ride, and the reaction from the 
excitement of the fight and the pursuit. I fell 
comparatively safe in my present location as ] 
knew that one man could defend the trail to th< 
cave against an army. 

I soon became so drowsy that I could scarcely 
resist the strong desire to throw myself on thi 
floor of the cave for a few moments’ rest, but ! 
knew that this would never do, as it would meai 
[12] 



ON THE ARIZONA HILLS 


certain death at the hands of my red friends, who 
might be upon me at any moment. With an effort 
I started toward the opening of the cave only to 
reel drunkenly against a side wall, and from there 
slip prone upon the floor* 




CHAPTER II 


THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD 

SENSE of delicious dreaminess overcame 



me, my muscles relaxed, and I was on th< 
point of giving away to my desire to sleep wher 
the sound of approaching horses reached my ears 
I attempted to spring to my feet but was horrifiec 
to discover that my muscles refused to responc 
to my will. I was now thoroughly awake, but a! 
unable to move a muscle as though turned to stone 
It was then, for the first time, that I noticed £ 
slight vapor filling the cave. It was extremely 
tenuous and only noticeable against the opening 
which led to daylight. There also came to m3 
nostrils a faintly pungent odor, and I coulc 
only assume that I had been overcome by some 
poisonous gas, but why I should retain my menta’ 
faculties and yet be unable to move I could nol 
fathom. 

I lay facing the opening of the cave and where 
I could see the short stretch of trail which la) 
between the cave and the turn of the cliff arounc 


[14] 




THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD 


which the trail led. The noise of the approaching 
horses had ceased, and I judged the Indians were 
creeping stealthily upon me along the little ledge 
which led to my living tomb. I remember that 
I hoped they would make short work of me as I 
did not particularly relish the thought of the 
innumerable things they might do to me if the 
spirit prompted them. 

I had not long to wait before a stealthy sound 
apprised me of their nearness, and then a war- 
bonneted, paint-streaked face was thrust cau¬ 
tiously around the shoulder of the cliff, and savage 
eyes looked into mine. That he could see me in 
the dim light of the cave I was sure for the early 
morning sun was falling full upon me through the 
opening. 

The fellow, instead of approaching, merely 
stood and stared; his eyes bulging and his jaw 
dropped. And then another savage face appeared, 
and a third and fourth and fifth, craning their 
necks over the shoulders of their fellows whom 
they could not pass upon the narrow ledge. Each 
face was the picture of awe and fear, but for what 
reason I did not know, nor did I learn until ten 
years later. That there were still other braves 
behind those who regarded me was apparent from 
[ 15 ] 



_ A PRINCESS OF MARS _ 

the fact that the leaders passed back whisperec 
word to those behind them. 

Suddenly a low but distinct moaning sounc 
issued from the recesses of the cave behind me 
and, as it reached the ears of the Indians, the) 
turned and fled in terror, panic stricken. So frantii 
were their efforts to escape from the unseen thing 
behind me that one of the braves was hurled head¬ 
long from the cliff to the rocks below. Their wile 
cries echoed in the canyon for a short time, and 
then all was still once more. 

The sound which had frightened them was not 
repeated, but it had been sufficient as it was to 
start me speculating on the possible horror which 
lurked in the shadows at my back. Fear is a rela¬ 
tive term and so I can only measure my feelings 
at that time by what I had experienced in previous 
positions of danger and by those I have passed 
through since; but I can say without shame that if 
the sensations I endured during the next few 
minutes were fear, then may God help the coward, 
for cowardice is of a surety its own punishment. 

To be held paralyzed, with one’s back toward 
some horrible and unknown danger from the very 
sound of which the ferocious Apache warriors 
turn in wild stampede, as a flock of sheep would 

[16] 





THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD 


madly flee from a pack of wolves, seems to me the 
last word in fearsome predicaments for a man who 
had ever been used to fighting for his life with all 
the energy of a powerful physique. 

Several times I thought I heard faint sounds 
behind me as of some body moving cautiously, but 
eventually even these ceased, and I was left to the 
contemplation of my position without interruption. 
I could but vaguely conjecture the cause of my 
paralysis, and my only hope lay in that it might 
pass off as suddenly as it had fallen upon me. 

Late in the afternoon my horse, which had been 
standing with dragging rein before the cave, 
started slowly down the trail, evidently in search 
of food and water, and I was left alone with my 
mysterious unknown companion and the dead body 
of my friend, which lay just within my range of 
vision upon the ledge where I had placed it in the 
early morning. 

From then until possibly midnight all was 
silence, the silence of the dead; then, suddenly, 
the awful moan of the morning broke upon my 
startled ears, and there came again from the black 
shadows the sound of a moving thing, and a faint 
rustling as of dead leaves. The shock to my 
already overstrained nervous system was terrible 

[ 17] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


in the extreme, and with a superhuman effori 
strove to break my awful bonds. It was an eff< 
of the mind, of the will, of the nerves; not m 
cular, for I could not move even so much as i 
little finger, but none the less mighty for all th 
And then something gave, there was a moment; 
feeling of nausea, a sharp click as of the snappi 
of a steel wire, and I stood with my back agaii 
the wall of the cave facing my unknown foe. 

And then the moonlight flooded the cave, a 
there before me lay my own body as it had be 
lying all these hours, with the eyes staring towa 
the open ledge and the hands resting limply up 
the ground. I looked first at my lifeless cl 
there upon the floor of the cave and then do^ 
at myself in utter bewilderment; for there I 1 
clothed, and yet here I stood but naked as at t 
minute of my birth. 

The transition had been so sudden and so uni 
pected that it left me for a moment forgetful 
aught else than my strange metamorphosis. ]> 
first thought was, is this then death! Have 
indeed passed over forever into that other lil 
But I could not well believe this, as I could f 
my heart pounding against my ribs from the ex 
tion of my efforts to release myself from t 

[18] 




THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD 


anaesthesls which had held me. My breath was 
coming in quick, short gasps, cold sweat stood out 
from every pore of my body, and the ancient 
experiment of pinching revealed the fact that I 
was anything other than a wraith. 

Again was I suddenly recalled to my imme¬ 
diate surroundings by a repetition of the weird 
moan from the depths of the cave. Naked and 
unarmed as I was, I had no desire to face the 
unseen thing which menaced me. 

My revolvers were strapped to my lifeless body 
which, for some unfathomable reason, I could not 
bring myself to touch. My carbine was in its boot, 
strapped to my saddle, and as my horse had wan¬ 
dered off I was left without means of defense. 
My only alternative seemed to lie in flight and my 
decision was crystallized by a recurrence of the 
rustling sound from the thing which now seemed, 
in the darkness of the cave and to my distorted 
imagination, to be creeping stealthily upon me. 

Unable longer to resist the temptation to escape 
this horrible place I leaped quickly through the 
opening into the starlight of a clear Arizona night. 
The crisp, fresh mountain air outside the cave 
icted as an immediate tonic and I felt new life and 
lew courage coursing through me. Pausing upon 
[ 19,1 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


the brink of the ledge I upbraided myself for what 
now seemed to me wholly unwarranted apprehen¬ 
sion. I reasoned with myself that I had lain 
helpless for many hours within the cave, yet noth¬ 
ing had molested me, and my better judgment, 
when permitted the direction of clear and logical 
reasoning, convinced me that the noises I had 
heard must have resulted from purely natural and 
harmless causes; probably the conformation of 
the cave was such that a slight breeze had caused 
the sounds I heard. 

I decided to investigate, but first I lifted my 
head to fill my lungs with the pure, invigorating 
night air of the mountains. As I did so I saw 
stretching far below me the beautiful vista of rocky 
gorge, and level, cacti-studded flat, wrought by the 
moonlight into a miracle of soft splendor and 
wondrous enchantment. 

Few western wonders are more inspiring 
than the beauties of an Arizona moonlit land¬ 
scape; the silvered mountains in the distance, the 
strange lights and shadows upon hog back and 
arroyo, and the grotesque details of the stiff, yet 
beautiful cacti form a picture at once enchanting 
and inspiring; as though one were catching for the 
Arst time a glimpse of some dead and forgotten 
[20] 



THE ESCAPE OF THE DEAD 


world, so different is it from the aspect of any 
other spot upon our earth. 

As I stood thus meditating, I turned my gaze 
from the landscape to the heavens where the 
myriad stars formed a gorgeous and fitting 
canopy for the wonders of the earthly scene. My 
attention was quickly riveted by a large red star 
close to the distant horizon. As I gazed upon it 
I felt a spell of overpowering fascination — it was 
Mars, the god of war, and for me, the fighting 
man, it had always held the power of irresistible 
enchantment. As I gazed at it on that far-gone 
night it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, 
to lure me to it, to draw me as the lodestone 
attracts a particle of iron. 

My longing was beyond the power of opposi¬ 
tion; I closed my eyes, stretched out my arms 
toward the god of my vocation and felt myself 
drawn with the suddenness of thought through the 
trackless immensity of space. There was an 
instant of extreme cold and utter darkness. 



CHAPTER III 

MY ADVENT ON MARS 

1 OPENED my eyes upon a strange and weird 
landscape. I knew that I was on Mars; not 
once did I question either my sanity or my wake¬ 
fulness. I was not asleep, no need for pinching 
here; my inner consciousness told me as plainly 
that I was upon Mars as your conscious mind tells 
you that you are upon Earth. You do not question 
the fact; neither did I. 

I found myself lying prone upon a bed of yel¬ 
lowish, moss-like vegetation which stretched 
around me in all directions for interminable miles. 
I seemed to be lying in a deep, circular basin, 
along the outer verge of which I could distinguish 
the irregularities of low hills. 

It was midday, the sun was shining full upon 
me and the heat of it was rather intense upon my 
naked body, yet no greater than 'would have been 
true under similar conditions on an Arizona desert. 
Here and there were slight outcroppings of quartz¬ 
bearing rock which glistened in the sunlight; and 
[ 22 ] 


MY ADVENT ON MARS 


a little to my left, perhaps a hundred yards, 
appeared a low, walled enclosure about four feet 
in height. No water, and no other vegetation than 
the moss was in evidence, and as I was somewhat 
thirsty I determined to do a little exploring. 

Springing to my feet I received my first Martian 
surprise, for the effort, which on Earth would have 
brought me standing upright, carried me into the 
Martian air to the height of about three yards. 
I alighted softly upon the ground, however, with¬ 
out appreciable shock or jar. Now commenced a 
series of evolutions which even then seemed 
ludicrous in the extreme. I found that I must 
learn to walk all over again, as the muscular exer¬ 
tion which carried me easily and safely upon Earth 
played strange antics with me upon Mars. 

Instead of progressing in a sane and dignified 
manner, my attempts to walk resulted in a variety 
of hops which took me clear of the ground a 
couple of feet at each step and landed me sprawling 
upon my face or back at the end of each second 
or third hop. ^ My muscles, perfectly attuned and 
accustomed to the force of gravity on Earth, 
played the mischief with me in attempting for the 
first time to cope with the lesser gravitation and 
lower air pressure on Mars. 

[23] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I was determined, however, to explore the low 
structure which was the only evidence of habitation 
in sight, and so I hit upon the unique plan of 
reverting to first principles in locomotion, creep¬ 
ing. I did fairly well at this and in a few moments 
had reached the low, encircling wall of the en- 
closure. 

There appeared to be no doors or windows upon 
the side nearest me, but as the wall was but about 
four feet high I cautiously gained my feet and 
peered over the top upon the strangest sight it had 
ever been given me to see. J 

The roof of the enclosure was of solid glass 
about four or five inches in thickness, and beneath 
this were several hundred large eggs, perfectly 
round and snowy white. The eggs were nearly 
uniform in size being about two and one-half feet 
in diameter. 

Five or six had already hatched and the gro¬ 
tesque caricatures which sat blinking in the sun¬ 
light were enough to cause me to doubt my sanity. 
They seemed mostly head, with little scrawny 
bodies, long necks and six legs, or, as I afterward 
learned, two legs and two arms, with an inter¬ 
mediary pair of limbs which could be used at will 
either as arms or legs. Their eyes were set at the 

[24] 




MY ADVENT ON MARS 


extreme sides of their heads a trifle above the 
center and protruded in such a manner that they 
could be directed either forward or back and also 
independently of each other, thus permitting this 
queer animal to look in any direction, or in two 
directions at once, without the necessity of turning 
the head. 

The ears, which were slightly above the eyes 
and closer together, were small, cup-shaped 
antennae, protruding not more than an inch on 
these young specimens. Their noses were but 
longitudinal slits in the center of their faces, mid¬ 
way between their mouths and ears. 

There was no hair on their bodies, which were 
of a very light yellowish-green color. In the 
adults, as I was to learn quite soon, this color 
deepens to an olive green and is darker in the 
male than in the female. Further, the heads of 
the adults are not so out of proportion to their 
bodies as in the case of the young. 

The iris of the eyes is blood red, as in Albinos, 
while the pupil is dark. The eyeball itself is very 
white, as are the teeth. These latter add a most 
ferocious appearance to an otherwise fearsome 
and terrible countenance, as the lower tusks curve 
upward to sharp points which end about where 

[25] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


the eyes of earthly human beings are located. The 
whiteness of the teeth is not that of ivory, but 
of the snowiest and most gleaming of china. 
Against the dark background of their olive skins 
their tusks stand out in a most striking manner, 
making these weapons present a singularly for¬ 
midable appearance. 

Most of these details I noted later, for I was 
given but little time to speculate on the wonders 
of my new discovery. I had seen that the eggs 
were in the process of hatching, and as I stood 
watching the hideous little monsters break from 
their shells I failed to note the approach of a score 
of full-grown Martians from behind me. 

Coming, as they did, over the soft and soundless 
moss, which covers practically the entire surface 
of Mars with the exception of the frozen areas 
at the poles and the scattered cultivated districts, 
they might have captured me easily, but their 
intentions were far more sinister. It was the rat¬ 
tling of the accouterments of the foremost warrior 
which warned me. 

On such a little thing my life hung that I often 
marvel that I escaped so easily. Had not the 
rifle of the leader of the party swung from its 
fastenings beside his saddle in such a way as to 
[26] 



MY ADVENT ON MARS 


strike against the butt of his great metal shod 
spear I should have snuffed out without ever know¬ 
ing that death was near me. But the little sound 
caused me to turn, and there upon me, not ten 
feet from my breast, was the point of that huge 
spear, a spear forty feet long, tipped with gleam¬ 
ing metal, and held low at the side of a mounted 
replica of the little devils I had been watching. 

But how puny and harmless they now looked 
beside this huge and terrific incarnation of hate of 
vengeance and of death. The man himself, for 
such I may call him, was fully fifteen feet in height 
and, on earth, would have weighed some four- 
hundred pounds. He sat his mount as we sit a 
horse, grasping the animal’s barrel with his lower 
limbs, while the hands of his two right arms held 
his immense spear low at the side of his mount; 
his two left arms were outstretched laterally to 
help preserve his balance, the thing he rode having 
neither bridle or reins of any description for 
guidance. 

And his mount! How can earthly words de¬ 
scribe it! It towered ten feet at the shoulder; 
had four legs on either side; a broad flat tail, 
larger at the tip than at the root, and which it 
held straight out behind while running; a gaping 

[27] 






r A PRINCESS OF MARS 


mouth which split Its head from Its snout to ifc 
long, massive neck. 

Like its master, it was entirely devoid of hair 
but was of a dark slate color and exceeding smootl 
and glossy. Its belly was white, and its legs shade* 
from the slate of its shoulders and hips to a vivic 
yellow at the feet. The feet themselves wer< 
heavily padded and nailless, which fact had alsc 
contributed to the noiselessness of their approach 
and, in common with a multiplicity of legs, is s 
characteristic feature of the fauna of Mars. Th< 
highest type of man and one other animal, th( 
only mammal existing on Mars, alone have well 
formed nails, and there are absolutely no hoofec 
animals in existence there. 

Behind this first charging demon trailed nine 
teen others, similar in all respects, but, as I learnec 
later, bearing individual characteristics peculiar tc 
themselves; precisely as no two of us are identica 
although we are all cast in a similar mold. Thi: 
picture, or rather materialized nightmare, whicl 
I have described at length, made but one terribb 
and swift impression on me as I turned to meet it 

Unarmed and naked as I was, the first law o 
nature manifested itself in the only possible solu 
tion of my immediate problem, and that was t< 
[28] 



MY ADVENT ON MARS 


get out of the vicinity of the point of the charging 
spear. Consequently I gave a very earthly and at 
the same time superhuman leap to reach the top 
of th(? Martian incubator, for such I had deter¬ 
mined it must be. 

My effort was crowned with a success which 
appalled me no less than it seemed to surprise the 
Martian warriors, for it carried me fully thirty 
feet into the air and landed me a hundred feet 
from my pursuers and on the opposite side of the 
enclosure. 

I alighted upon the soft moss easily and with¬ 
out mishap, and turning saw my enemies lined up 
along the further wall. Some were surveying me 
with expressions which I afterward discovered 
marked extreme astonishment, and the others were 
evidently satisfying themselves that I had not 
molested their young. 

They were conversing together in low tones, 
and gesticulating and pointing toward me. Their 
discovery that I had not harmed the little Mar¬ 
tians, and that I was unarmed, must have caused 
them to look upon me with less ferocity; but, as 
I was to learn later, the thing which weighed most 
in my favor was my exhibition of hurdling. 

While the Martians are immense, their bones 

[29] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


are very large and they are muscled only In pi 
portion to the gravitation which they must ovi 
come. The result is that they are infinitely 1( 
agile and less powerful, in proportion to th' 
weight, than an Earth man, and I doubt that we 
one of them suddenly to be transported to Eai 
he could lift his own weight from the ground; 
fact, I am convinced that he could not do so. 

My feat then was as marvelous upon Mars 
it would have been upon Earth, and from desiri 
to annihilate me they suddenly looked upon me 
a wonderful discovery to be captured and exhibit 
among their fellows. 

The respite my unexpected agility had given : 
permitted me to formulate plans for the immedi; 
future and to note more closely the appearai 
of the warriors, for I could not disassociate th 
people in my mind from those other warriors wl 
only the day before, had been pursuing me. 

I noted that each was armed with several ot] 
weapons in addition to the huge spear whicl 
have described. The weapon which caused me 
decide against an attempt at escape by flight ^ 
what was evidently a rifle of some descripti 
and which I felt, for some reason, they were 
culiarly efficient in handling. 

[30] 




MY ADVENT ON MARS 


These rifles were of a white metal stocked with 
vood, which I learned later was a very light and 
ntensely hard growth much prized on Mars, and 
:ntirely unknown to us denizens of Earth. The 
netal of the barrel is an alloy composed principally 
)f aluminum and steel which they have learned to 
emper to a hardness far exceeding that of the 
;teel with which we are familiar. The weight of 
hese rifles is comparatively little, and with the 
imall caliber, explosive, radium projectiles which 
hey use, and the great length of the barrel, they 
ire deadly in the extreme and at ranges which 
vould be unthinkable on Earth. The theoretic 
:ffective radius of this rifle is three hundred miles, 
rnt the best they can do in actual service when 
iquipped with their wireless finders and sighters 
s but a trifle over two hundred miles. 

This is quite far enough to imbue me with great 
aspect for the Martian firearm, and some tele- 
)athic force must have warned me against an 
ittempt to escape in broad daylight from under 
he muzzles of twenty of these death-dealing 
nachines. 

The Martians, after conversing for a short 
ime, turned and rode away in the direction from 
diich they had come, leaving one of their number 

[31] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


alone by the enclosure. When they had cove 
perhaps two hundred yards they halted, and ti 
ing their mounts toward us sat watching the vs 
rior by the enclosure. 

He was the one whose spear had so nea 
transfixed me, and was evidently the leader 
the band, as I had noted that they seemed 
have moved to their present position at his di] 
tion. When his force had come to a halt he < 
mounted, threw down his spear and small ar 
and came around the end of the incubator tow; 
me, entirely unarmed and as naked as I, exc 
for the ornaments strapped upon his head, liir 
and breast. 

When he was within about fifty feet of me 
unclasped an enormous metal armlet, and hold 
it toward me in the open palm of his ha 
addressed me in a clear, resonant voice, btft ii 
language, it is needless to say, I could not unc 
stand. He then stopped as though waiting 
my reply, pricking up his antennae-like ears ; 
cocking his strange looking eyes still furt 
toward me. 

As the silence became painful I concluded 
hazard a little conversation on my own part, < 
had guessed that he was making overtures of pe« 
[ 32 ] 



MY ADVENT ON MARS 


'he throwing down of his weapons and the with- 
rawing of his troop before his advance toward 
le would have signified a peaceful mission any- 
here on Earth, so why not, then, on Mars! 
Placing my hand over my heart I bowed low 
) the Martian and explained to him that while 
did not understand his language, his actions 
)oke for the peace and friendship that at the 
resent moment were most dear to my heart. 
If course I might have been a babbling brook 
)r all the intelligence my speech carried to him, 
at he understood the action with which I imme- 
[ately followed my words. 

Stretching my hand toward him, I advanced 
id took the armlet from his open palm, clasping 
about my arm above the elbow; smiled at him 
id stood waiting. His wide mouth spread into 
1 answering smile, and locking one of his inter- 
ediary arms in mine we turned and walked back 
ward his mount. At the same time he motioned 
s followers to advance. They started toward us 
1 a wild run, but were checked by a signal from 
m. Evidently he feared that were I to be really 
ightened again I might jump entirely out of 
e landscape. 

He exchanged a few words with his men, 

[33] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


motioned to me that I would ride behind one o 
them, and then mounted his own animal. Th 
fellow designated reached down two or thre 
hands and lifted me up behind him on the gloss; 
back of his mount, where I hung on as best ' 
could by the belts and straps which held th( 
Martian’s weapons and ornaments. 

The entire cavalcade then turned and gallopec 
away toward the range of hills in the distance. 




CHAPTER IV 

A PRISONER 


W E had gone perhaps ten miles when the 
ground began to rise very rapidly. We 
were, as I was later to learn, nearing the edge 
of one of Mars’ long dead seas, in the bottom 
of which my encounter with the Martians had 
taken place. 

In a short time we gained the foot of the moun¬ 
tains, and after traversing a narrow gorge came 
to an open valley, at the far extremity of which 
was a low tableland upon which I beheld an enor¬ 
mous city. Toward this we galloped, entering it 
by what appeared to be a ruined roadway leading 
out from the cfty, but only to the edge of the table¬ 
land, where it ended abruptly in a flight of broad 
steps. 

Upon closer observation I saw as we passed 
them that the buildings were deserted, and while 
not greatly decayed had the appearance of not 
having been tenanted for years, possibly for ages. 
Toward the center of the city was a large plaza, 
[ 35 ] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


and upon this and In the buildings immediately 
surrounding it were camped some nine or ter 
hundred creatures of the same breed as my cap- 
tors, for such I now considered them despite the 
suave manner in which I had been trapped. 

With the exception of their ornaments all were 
naked. The women varied in appearance but 
little from the men, except that their tusks were 
much larger in proportion to their height, in some 
instances curving nearly to their high-set ears. 
Their bodies were smaller and lighter in color, 
and their fingers and toes bore the rudiments of 
nails, which were entirely lacking among the 
males. The adult females ranged in height from 
ten to twelve feet. 

The children were light in color, even lighter 
than the women, and all looked precisely alike to 
me, except that some were taller than others; older, 
I presumed. 

I saw no signs of extreme age among them, 
nor is there any appreciable difference in their 
appearance from the age of maturity, about 
forty, until, at about the age of one thousand 
years, they go voluntarily upon their last strange 
pilgrimage down the river Iss, which leads no 
living Martian knows whither and from whose 
[ 36 ] 



A PRISONER 


bosom no Martian has ever returned, or would 
be allowed to live did he return after once embark¬ 
ing upon its cold, dark waters. 

Only about one Martian in a thousand dies of 
sickness or disease, and possibly about twenty take 
the voluntary pilgrimage. The other nine hun¬ 
dred and seventy-nine die violent deaths in duels 
in hunting in aviation and in war; but perhaps 
by far the greatest death loss comes during the 
age of childhood, when vast numbers of the little 
Martians fall victims to the great white apes of 
Mars. 

The average life expectancy of a Martian after 
the age of maturity is about three hundred years, 
but would be nearer the one^thousand mark were 
it not for the various means leading to violent 
death. Owing to the waning resources of the 
planet it evidently became necessary to counteract 
the increasing longevity which their remarkable 
skill in therapeutics and surgery produced, and so 
human life has come to be considered but lightly 
on Mars, as is evidenced by their dangerous sports 
and the almost continual warfare between the 
various communities. 

There are other and natural causes tending 
toward a diminution of population, but nothing 

[37] 



r A PRINCESS OF MARS 


contributes so greatly to this end as the fact that 
no male or female Martian is ever voluntarily 
without a weapon of destruction. 

As we neared the plaza and my presence was 
discovered we were immediately surrounded by 
hundreds of the creatures who seemed anxious tc 
pluck me from my seat behind my guard. A word 
from the leader of the party stilled their clamor, 
and we proceeded at a trot across the plaza to 
the entrance of as magnificent an edifice as mortal 
eye has rested upon. 

The building was low, but covered an enormous 
area. It was constructed of gleaming white 
marble inlaid with gold and brilliant stones which 
sparkled and scintillated in the sunlight. The 
main entrance was some hundred feet in width 
and projected from the building proper to form 
a huge canopy above the entrance hall. There, 
was no stairway, but a gentle incline to the first 
floor of the building opened into an enormous 
chamber encircled by galleries. 

On the floor of this chamber, which was dotted 
with highly carved wooden desks and chairs, were 
'assembled about forty or fifty m^le Martians 
around the steps of a rostrum. On the platform 
proper squatted an enormous warrior heavily 
[ 38 ] 







A PRISONER 


loaded with metal ornaments, gay-colored feathers 
and beautifully wrought leather trappings ingen¬ 
iously set with precious stones. From his shoul¬ 
ders depended a short cape of white fur lined 
with brilliant scarlet silk. 

What struck me as most remarkable about this 
assemblage and the hall in which they were con¬ 
gregated was the fact that the creatures were 
entirely out of proportion to the desks, chairs, 
*and other furnishings; these being of a size 
adapted to human beings such as I, whereas the 
great bulks of the Martians could scarcely have 
squeezed into the chairs, nor was there room 
beneath the desks for their long legs. Evidently, 
then, there were other denizens on Mars than 
the wild and grotesque creatures into whose hands 
[ had fallen, but the evidences of extreme antiquity 
tvhich showed all around me indicated that these 
buildings might have belonged to some long extinct 
md forgotten race in the dim antiquity of Mars. 

Our party had halted at the entrance to the 
milding, and at a sign from the leader I had 
)een lowered to the ground. Again locking his 
irm in mine, we had proceeded into the audience 
ihamber. There were few formalities observed 
n approaching the Martian chieftain. My captor 

Cm] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


merely strode up to the rostrum, the others mak 
ing way for him as he advanced. The chieftair 
rose to his feet and uttered the name of my escorl 
who, in turn, halted and repeated the name oi 
the ruler followed by his title. 

At the time, this ceremony and the words the} 
uttered meant nothing to me, but later I came tc 
know that this was the customary greeting between 
green Martians. Had the men been strangers, 
and therefore unable to exchange names, they 
would have silently exchanged ornaments, had 
their missions been peaceful — otherwise they 
would have exchanged shots, or have fought out 
their introduction with some other of their various 
weapons. 

My captor, whose name was Tars Tarkas, was 
virtually the vice-chieftain of the community, and 
a man of great ability as a statesman and w r arrior. 
He evidently explained briefly the incidents con¬ 
nected with his expedition, including my capture, 
and when he had concluded the chieftain addressed 
me at some length. 

I replied in our good old English tongue merely 
to convince him that neither of us could understand 
the other; but I noticed that when I smiled slightly 
on concluding, he did likewise. This fact, and 
[ 40 ] 





A PRISONER 


the similar occurrence during my first talk with 
Tars Tarkas, convinced me that we had at least 
something in common; the ability to smile, there¬ 
fore to laugh; denoting a sense of humor. But I 
was to learn that the Martian smile is merely 
perfunctory, and that the Martian laugh is a 
thing to cause strong men to blanch in horror. 

The ideas of humor among the green men of 
Mars are widely at variance with our conceptions 
of incitants to merriment. The death agonies of 
a fellow being are, to these strange creatures, pro¬ 
vocative of the wildest hilarity, while their chief 
form of commonest amusement is to inflict death 
on their prisoners of war in various ingenious and 
horrible ways. 

The assembled warriors and chieftains exam¬ 
ined me closely, feeling my muscles and the tex¬ 
ture of my skin. The principal chieftain then 
evidently signified a desire to see me perform, and, 
motioning me to follow, he started with Tars 
Tarkas for the open plaza. 

Now, I had made no attempt to walk, since 
my first signal failure, except while tightly grasp¬ 
ing Tars Tarkas’ arm, and so now I went skip¬ 
ping and flitting about among the desks and chairs 


like 


some monstrous grasshopper. 

[4i] 


After bruis- 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


ing myself severely, much to the amusement oi 
the Martians, I again had recourse to creeping 
but this did not suit them and I was roughly jerkec 
to my feet by a towering fellow who had laughec 
most heartily at my misfortunes. 

As he banged me down upon my feet his fact 
was bent close to mine and I did the only thing 
a gentleman might do under the circumstances of 
brutality, boorishness, and lack of consideration 
for a stranger’s rights; I swung my fist squarely 
to his jaw and he went down like a felled ox. As 
he sunk to the floor I wheeled around with my 
back toward the nearest desk, expecting to be 
overwhelmed by the vengeance of his fellows, but 
determined to give them as good a battle as the 
unequal odds would permit before I gave up my 
life. 

My fears were groundless, however, as the 
other Martians, at first struck dumb with wonder¬ 
ment, finally broke into wild peals of laughter and 
applause. I did not recognize the applause as 
1 such, but later, when I had become acquainted 
with their customs, I learned that I had won what 
they seldom accord, a manifestation of approba¬ 
tion. 

The fellow whom I had struck lay where he had 

[42] 






A PRISONER 


fallen, nor did any of his mates approach him, 
Tars Tarkas advanced toward me, holding out 
one of his arms, and we thus proceeded to the 
plaza without further mishap. I did not, of 
course, know the reason for which we had come 
to the open, but I was not long in being enlightened* 
They first repeated the word “sak” a number of 
times, and then Tars Tarkas made several jumps, 
repeating the same word before each leap; then, 
turning to me, he said, “ sak! ” I saw what 
they were after, and gathering myself together 
I “sakked” with such marvelous success that 1 
cleared a good hundred and fifty feet; nor did I, 
this time, lose my equilibrium, but landed squarely 
upon my feet without falling. I then returned by 
easy jumps of twenty-five or thirty feet to the littlf 
group of warriors. 

My exhibition had been witnessed by several 
hundred lesser Martians, and they immediately 
broke into demands for a repetition, which the 
chieftain then ordered me to make; but I was 
both hungry and thirsty, and determined on the 
spot that my only method of salvation was ter 
demand the consideration from these creature? 
cvdiich they evidently would not voluntarily accord, 
[ therefore ignored the repeated commands t<* 
[43] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“sak,” and each time they were made I motioml 
to my mouth and rubbed my stomach. 

Tars Tarkas and the chief exchanged a fe 1 
words, and the former, calling to a young femai 
among the throng, gave her some instruction 
and motioned me to accompany her. I graspe 
her proffered arm and together we crossed tl 
plaza toward a large building on the far side. 

My fair companion was about eight feet tal 
having just arrived at maturity, but not yet to h< 
full height. She was of a light olive-green colo 
with a smooth, glossy hide. Her name, as I afte 
ward learned, was Sola, and she belonged to tf 
retinue of Tars Tarkas. She conducted me to 
spacious chamber in one of the buildings frontin 
on the plaza, and which, from the litter of silk 
and furs upon the floor, I took to be the sleepin 
quarters of several of the natives. 

The room was well lighted by a number o 
large windows and was beautifully decorated wit 
mural paintings and mosaics, but upon all ther 
seemed to rest that indefinable touch of the finge 
of antiquity which convinced me that the arch 
tects and builders of these wondrous creation 
had nothing in common with the crude half-brute 
which now occupied them. 

[ 44 ] 



A PRISONER 


Sola motioned me to be seated upon a pile of 
silks near the center of the room, and, turning, 
made a peculiar hissing sound, as though signaling 
to some one in an adjoining room. In response to 
her call I obtained my first sight of a new Martian 
wonder. It waddled in on its ten short legs, and 
squatted down before the girl like an obedient 
puppy. The thing was about the size of a Shetland 
pony, but its head bore a slight resemblance to that 
of a frog, except that the jaws were equipped with 
three rows of long, sharp tusks. 


Usl 



CHAPTER V 


I ELUDE MY WATCH DOG 


S OLA stared into the brute’s wicked-lookii 
eyes, muttered a word or two of comman 
pointed to me, and left the chamber. I could n 
but wonder what this ferocious-looking monstrc 
ity might do when left alone in such close pro 
imity to such a relatively tender morsel of mea 
but my fears were groundless, as the beast, aft 
surveying me intently for a moment, crossed tl 
room to the only exit which led to the street, ar 
lay down full length across the threshold. 

This was my first experience with a Marti; 
watch dog, but it was destined not to be my la; 
for this fellow guarded me carefully during tl 
time I remained a captive among these green me 
twice saving my life, and never voluntarily beii 
away from me a moment. 

While Sola was away I took occasion to examii 
more minutely the room in which I found myse 
captive. The mural painting depicted scenes 
rare and wonderful beauty: mountains, rivei 


/ ELUDE MY WATCH DOG 


lake, ocean, meadow, trees and flowers, winding 
roadways, sun-kissed gardens — scenes which 
might have portrayed earthly views but for the 
different colorings of the vegetation. The work 
had evidently been wrought by a master hand, so 
subtle the atmosphere, so perfect the technique; 
yet nowhere was there a representation of a living 
animal, either human or brute, by which I could 
guess at the likeness of these other and perhaps 
extinct denizens of Mars. 

While I was allowing my fancy to run riot in 
wild conjecture on the possible explanation of the 
strange anomalies which I had so far met with on 
Mars, Sola returned bearing both food and drink. 
These she placed on the floor beside me, and seat¬ 
ing herself a short ways off regarded me intently. 
The food consisted of about a pound of some solid 
substance of the consistency of cheese and almost 
tasteless, while the liquid was apparently milk 
from some animal. It was not unpleasant to the 
taste, though slightly acid, and I learned in a short 
time to prize it very highly. It came, as I later 
discovered, not from an animal, as there is only 
one mammal on Mars an d that one very rare 
indeed, but from a large pknt which grows prac¬ 
tically without water, but seems to distill its plenty 

[47] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


ful supply of milk from the products of the soi 
the moisture of the air, and the rays of the sui 
A single plant of this species will give eight o 
ten quarts of milk per day. 

After I had eaten I was greatly invigorated, bi 
feeling the need of rest I stretched out upon th 
silks and was soon asleep. I must have slept seA 
eral hours, as it was dark when I awoke, and 
was very cold. I noticed that someone had throw 
a fur over me, hut it had become partially dn 
lodged and in the darkness I could not see t 
replace it. Suddenly a hand reached out an 
pulled the fur over me, shortly afterwards addin 
another to my covering. 

I presumed that my watchful guardian was Sol; 
nor was I wrong. This girl alone, among all th 
green Martians with whom I came in contaci 
disclosed characteristics of sympathy, kindlines: 
and affection; her ministrations to my bodily wanl 
were unfailing, and her solicitous care saved m 
from much suffering and many hardships. 

As I was to learn, the Martian nights ai 
extremely cold, and as there is practically n 
twilight or dawn, the changes in temperature ai 
sudden and most uncomfortable, as are the trai 
sitions from brilliant daylight to darkness. Tf 
[48] 



I ELUDE MY WATCH DOG 


nights are either brilliantly illumined or very dark, 
for if neither of the two moons of Mars happen 
to be in the sky almost total darkness results, since 
the lack of atmosphere, or, rather, the very thin 
atmosphere, fails to diffuse the starlight to any 
great extent; on the other hand, if both of the 
moons are in the heavens at night the surface of 
the ground is brightly illuminated. 

Both of Mars’ moons are vastly nearer her than 
is our moon to Earth; the nearer moon being but 
about five thousand miles distant, while the fur¬ 
ther is but little more than fourteen thousand 
miles away, against the nearly one-quarter million 
miles which separate us from our moon. The 
nearer moon of Mars makes a complete revolu¬ 
tion around the planet in a little over seven and 
one-half hours, so that she may be seen hurtling 
through the sky like some huge meteor two or 
three times each night, revealing all her phases 
during each transit of the heavens. 

The further moon revolves about Mars in some¬ 
thing over thirty and one-quarter hours, and with 
her sister satellite makes a nocturnal Martian scene 
one of splendid and weird grandeur. And it is 
. wd 1 that nature has so graciously and abundantly 
lighted the Martian night, for the green men of 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Mars, being a nomadic race without high inti 
lectual development, have but crude means f 
artificial lighting; depending principally up< 
torches, a kind of candle, and a peculiar oil lan 
which generates a gas and burns without a wick. 

This last device produces an intensely brillia 
far-reaching white light, but as the natural < 
which it requires can only be obtained by minii 
in one of several widely separated and remo 
localities it is seldom used by these creatur 
whose only thought is for today, and whose hatr< 
for manual labor has kept them in a semi-barbai 
state for countless ages. 

After Sola had replenished my coverings 
again slept, nor did I awaken until daylight. T1 
other occupants of the room, five in number, we 
all females, and they were still sleeping, pili 
high with a motley array of silks and furs. Aero 
the threshold lay stretched the sleepless guardi; 
brute, just as I had last seen him on the precedii 
day; apparently he had not moved a muscle; 1 
eyes were fairly glued upon me, and I fell to wc 
dering just what might befall me should I endeav 
to escape. 

I have ever been prone to seek adventure ai 
to investigate and experiment where wiser m 

[50] 




I ELUDE MY WATCH DOG 

would have left well enough alone. It therefore 
now occurred to me that the surest way of learn¬ 
ing the exact attitude of this beast toward me 
would be to attempt to leave the room. I felt 
fairly secure in my belief that I could escape him 
should he pursue me once I was outside the build¬ 
ing, for I had begun to take great pride in my 
ability as a jumper. Furthermore, I could see 
from the shortness of his legs that the brute him¬ 
self was no jumper and probably no runner. 

Slowly and carefully, therefore, I gained my 
feet, only to see that my watcher did the same; 
cautiously I advanced toward him, finding that 
by moving with a shuffling gait I could retain my 
balance as well as make reasonably rapid prog¬ 
ress. As I neared the brute he backed cautiously 
away from me, and when I had reached the open 
he moved to one side to let me pass. He then 
fell in behind me and followed about ten paces 
in my rear as I made my way along the deserted 
street. 

Evidently his mission was to protect me only, 
I thought, but when we reached the edge of the 
city he suddenly sprang before me, uttering strange 
sounds and baring his ugly and ferocious tusks. 
Thinking to have some amusement at his expense, 
[5i] 






A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I rushed toward him, and when almost upon him 
sprang into the air, alighting far beyond him 
and away from the city. He wheeled instantly 
and charged me with the most appalling speed 
I had ever beheld. I had thought his short legs 
a bar to swiftness, but had he been coursing with 
greyhounds the latter would have appeared as 
though asleep on a door mat. As I was to learn, 
this is the fleetest animal on Mars, and owing 
to its intelligence, loyalty, and ferocity is used in 
hunting, in war, and as the protector of the Mar¬ 
tian man. 

I quickly saw that I would have difficulty in 
escaping the fangs of the beast on a straightaway 
course, and so I met his charge by doubling in my 
tracks and leaping over him as he was almost 
upon me. This maneuver gave me a considerable 
advantage, and I was able to reach the city quite 
a bit ahead of him, and as he came tearing after 
me I jumped for a window about thirty feet from 
the ground in the face of one of the buildings over¬ 
looking the valley. 

Grasping the sill I pulled myself up to a sitting 
posture without looking into the building, and 
gazed down at the baffled animal beneath me. M) 
exultation was short lived, however, for scarcely 
[ 52 ] 




I ELUDE MY WATCH DOG 


had I gained a secure seat upon the sill than a 
huge hand grasped me by the neck from behind 
and dragged me violently into the room. Here 
I was thrown upon my back, and beheld standing 
over me a colossal ape-like creature, white and 
hairless except for an enormous shock of bristly 
hair upon its head. 



CHAPTER VI 


A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS 
HE thing, which more nearly resembled our 



X earthly men than it did the Martians I had 
seen, held me pinioned to the ground with one 
huge foot, while it jabbered and gesticulated at 
some answering creature behind me. This other, 
which was evidently its mate, soon came toward 
us, bearing a mighty stone cudgel with which it 
evidently intended to brain me. 

The creatures were about ten or fifteen feet tall, 
standing erect, and had, like the green Martians, 
an intermediary set of arms or legs, midway 
between their upper and lower limbs. Their eyes 
were close together and non-protruding; their ears 
were high set, but more laterally located than those 
of the Martians, while their snouts and teeth were 
strikingly like those of our African gorilla. Alto¬ 
gether they were not unlovely when viewed in 
comparison with the green Martians. 

The cudgel was swinging in the arc which ended 
upon my upturned face when a bolt of myriad' 


[ 54 ] 


A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS 


legged horror hurled Itself through the doorway 
full upon the breast of my executioner. With a 
shriek of fear the ape which held me leaped 
through the open window, but its mate closed in a 
terrific death struggle with my preserver, which 
was nothing less than my faithful watch-thing; I 
cannot bring myself to call so hideous a creature 
a dog. 

As quickly as possible I gained my feet and 
backing against the wall I witnessed such a battle 
as it is vouchsafed few beings to see. The strength, 
agility, and blind ferocity of these two creatures 
is approached by nothing known to earthly man. 
My beast had an advantage in his first hold, hav¬ 
ing sunk his mighty fangs far into the breast of 
his adversary; but the great arms and paws of 
the ape, backed by muscles far transcending those 
of the Martian men I had seen, had locked the 
throat of my guardian and slowly were choking 
out his life, and bending back his head and neck 
upon his body, where I momentarily expected the 
former to fall limp at the end of a broken neck. 

In accomplishing this the ape was tearing away 
the entire front of its breast, which was held in 
the vise-like grip of the powerful jaws. Back and 
forth upon the floor they rolled, neither one emit- 

[55] 





A PRINCE SS OF MARS _ 

ting a sound of fear or pain. Presently I saw the 
great eyes of my beast bulging completely from 
their sockets and blood flowing from its nostrils. 
That he was weakening perceptibly was evident, 
but so also was the ape, whose struggles were 
growing momentarily less. 

Suddenly I came to myself and, with that strange 
instinct which seems ever to prompt me to my duty, 
I seized the cudgel, which had fallen to the floor 
at the commencement of the battle, and swinging 
it with all the power of my earthly arms I crashed 
it full upon the head of the ape, crushing his skull 
as though it had been an egg shell. 

Scarcely had the blow descended when I was 
confronted with a new danger. The ape’s mate, 
recovered from its first shock of terror, had 
returned to the scene of the encounter by way of 
the interior of the building. I glimpsed him just 
before he reached the doorway and the sight of 
him, now roaring as he perceived his lifeless fellow 
stretched upon the floor, and frothing at the 
mouth, in the extremity of his rage, filled me, I 
must confess, with dire forebodings. 

Iam ever willing to stand and fight when the 
odds are not too overwhelmingly against me, but 
in this instance I perceived neither glory nor profit 
[ 56 ] 




A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS 


in pitting my relatively puny strength against the 
iron muscles and brutal ferocity of this enraged 
denizen of an unknown world; in fact, the only 
outcome of such an encounter, so far as I might 
be concerned, seemed sudden death. 

I was standing near the window and I knew 
that once in the street I might gain the plaza and 
safety before the creature could overtake r 't 
least there was a chance for safety in fligb 
almost certain death should I remain u 
however desperately. 

It is true I held the cudgel, but what could jl do 
with it against his four great arms ? Even shoulc 
I break one of them with my first blow, for I 
figured that he would attempt to ward off the 
cudgel, he could reach out and annihilate me with 
the others before I could recover for a second 
attack. 

In the instant that these thoughts passed 
through my mind I had turned to make for the 
window, but my eyes alighting on the form of my 
erstwhile guardian threw all thoughts of flight to 
the four winds. He lay gasping upon the floor 
of the chamber, his great eyes fastened upon me 
in what seemed a pitiful appeal for protection. 
I could not withstand that look, nor cduld I, on 
[ 57 ] 







A PRINCESS OF MARS 


second thought, have deserted my rescuer withoul 
giving as good an account of myself in his behali 
as he had in mine. 

Without more ado, therefore, I turned to meel 
the charge of the infuriated bull ape. He was no^ 
too close upon me for the cudgel to prove of an) 
effective assistance, so I merely threw it as heavily 
as I could at his advancing bulk. It struck him 
just below the knees, eliciting a howl of pain and 
. , and so throwing him off his balance that he 
u full upon me with arms wide stretched to 
ease his fall. 

Again, as on the preceding day, I had recourse 
to earthly tactics, and swinging my right fist full 
upon the point of his chin I followed it with a 
smashing left to the pit of his stomach. The effect 
was marvelous, for, as I lightly side-stepped, after 
delivering the second blow, he reeled and fell upon 
the floor doubled up with pain and gasping for 
wind. Leaping over his prostrate body, I seized 
the cudgel and finished the monster before he 
could regain his feet. 

As I delivered the blow a low laugh rang out 
behind me, and, turning, I beheld Tars Tarkas, 
Sola, and three or four warriors standing in the 
doorway of the chamber. As my eyes met theirs 
[ 53 ] 



A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS 


I was, for the second time, the recipient of their 
zealously guarded applause. 

My absence had been noted by Sola on her" 
awakening, and she had quickly informed Tars 
Tarkas, who had set out immediately with a hand¬ 
ful of warriors to search for me. As they had 
approached the limits of the city they had wit¬ 
nessed the actions of the bull ape as he bolted 
into the building, frothing with rage. 

They had followed immediately behind him, 
thinking it barely possible that his actions might 
prove a clew to my whereabouts, and had wit¬ 
nessed my short but decisive battle with him. This 
encounter, together with my set-to with the Mar¬ 
tian warrior on the previous day and my feats of 
jumping placed me upon a high pinnacle in their 
regard. Evidently devoid of all the finer senti¬ 
ments of friendship, love, or affection, these people 
fairly worship physical prowess and bravery, and 
nothing is too good for the object of their adora¬ 
tion as long as he maintains his position by 
repeated examples of his skill, strength, and cour¬ 
age. 

Sola, who had accompanied the searching party 
of her own volition, was the only one of the Mar¬ 
tians whose face had not been twisted in laughter 

[59] 



:A PRINCESS OF MARS 


as I battled for my life. She, on the contrar 
was sober with apparent solicitude and, as so( 
as I had finished the monster, rushed to me ai 
carefully examined my body for possible woun< 
or injuries. Satisfying herself that I had come c 
unscathed she smiled quietly, and, taking my han 
started toward the door of the chamber. 

Tars Tarkas and the other warriors had enter< 
and were standing over the now rapidly revivir 
brute which had saved my life, and whose life 
in turn, had rescued. They seemed to be deep 
argument, and finally one of them addressed m 
but remembering my ignorance of his languaj 
turned back to Tars Tarkas, who, with a woi 
and gesture, gave some command to the fello 
and turned to follow us from the room. 

There seemed something menacing in their at 
tude toward my beast, and I hesitated to lea'’ 
until I had learned the outcome. It was well 
did so, for the warrior drew an evil-looking pist 
from its holster and was on the point of puttii 
an end to the creature when I sprang forward ai 
struck up his arm. The bullet striking the woodi 
casing of the window exploded, blowing a ho 
completely through the wood and masonry. 

I then knelt down beside the fearsome lookir 

£60] 



A FIGHT THAT WON FRIENDS 


thing, and raising it to its feet motioned for it to 
follow me. The looks of surprise which my actions 
j elicited from the Martians were ludicrous; they 
could not understand, except in a feeble and child- 
! ish way, such attributes as gratitude and compas¬ 
sion. The warrior whose gun I had struck up 
looked inquiringly at Tars Tarkas, but the latter 
signed that I be left to my own devices, and so 
j we returned to the plaza with my great beast fol¬ 
lowing close at heel, and Sola grasping me tightly 
by the arm. 

I had at least two friends on Mars; a young 
; woman who watched over me with motherly solic¬ 
itude, and a dumb brute which, as I later came to 
: know, held in its poor ugly carcass more love, 
, more loyalty, more gratitude than could have been 
1 found in the entire five million green Martians 
who rove the deserted cities and dead sea bottoms 
of Mars. 




CHAPTER yil 

CHILD-RAISING ON MARS 

FTER a breakfast, which was an 



JlJl replica of the meal of the preceding < 
and an index of practically every meal which i 
lowed while I was with the green men of Ms 
Sola escorted me to the plaza, where I found 
entire community engaged in watching or help 
at the harnessing of huge mastodonian animals 
great three-wheeled chariots. There were ab 
two hundred and fifty of these vehicles, e: 
drawn by a single animal, any one of which, fr 
their appearance, might easily have drawn 
entire wagon train when fully loaded. 

The chariots themselves were large, comr 
dious, and gorgeously decorated. In each ’v 
seated a female Martian loaded with orname 
of metal, with jewels and silks and furs, and u\ 
the back’ of each of the beasts which drew 
chariots was perched a young Martian driver. L 
the animals upon which the warriors w 
mounted, the heavier draft animals wore neit 


[62] 




CHILD-RAISING ON MARS 


bit nor bridle, but were guided entirely by tel¬ 
epathic means. 

This power is wonderfully developed in all 
Martians, and accounts largely for the simplicity 
of their language and the relatively few spoken 
words exchanged even in long conversations. It 
: j is the universal language of Mars, through the 
:j medium of which the higher and lower animals of 
f this world of paradoxes are able to communicate 
i to a greater or less extent, depending upon the 
t intellectual sphere of the species and the develop- 
;| ment of the individual. 

As the cavalcade took up the line of march in 
j single file, Sola dragged me into an empty chariot 
and we proceeded with the procession toward the 
i point by which I had entered the city the day 
j before. At the head of the caravan rode some two 
hundred warriors, five abreast, and a like number 
brought up the rear, while twenty-five or thirty 
outriders flanked us on either side. 

Every one but myself—men, women, and chil¬ 
dren— were heavily armed, and at the tail of 
each chariot trotted a Martian hound, my own 
beast following closely behind ours; in fact, the 
faithful creature never left me voluntarily during 
the entire ten years I spent on Mars. Our way 

[63] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


led out across the little valley before the 
through the hills, and down into the dead sea 
tom which I had traversed on my journey f 
the incubator to the plaza. The incubator, ; 
proved, was the terminal point of our journey 
day, and, as the entire cavalcade broke into a 3 
gallop as soon as we reached the level expans 
sea bottom, we were soon .within sight of 
goal. 

On reaching it the chariots were parked i 
military precision on the four sides of the enc 
ure, and half a score of warriors, headed by 
enormous chieftain, and including Tars Tai 
and several other lesser chiefs, dismounted 
advanced toward it. I could see Tars Tai 
explaining something to the principal chieft 
whose name, by the way, was, as nearly as I 
translate it into English, Lorquas Ptomel, J 
jed being his title. 

I was soon appraised of the subject of their < 
versation, as, calling to Sola, Tars Tarkas sig 
for her to send me to him. I had by this t 
mastered the intricacies of walking under N 
tian conditions, and quickly responding to his c 
mand I advanced to the side of the incub; 
where the warriors stood. 

[64] 



CHILD-RAISiNG ON MARS 


As I reached their side a glance showed me 
that all but a very few eggs had hatched, the incu¬ 
bator being fairly alive with the hideous little 
1 devils. They ranged in height from three to 
1 four feet, and were moving restlessly about the 
r enclosure as though searching for food. 

As I came to a halt before him, Tars Tarkas 
pointed over the incubator and said, “sak.” I 
saw that he wanted me to repeat my performance 
of yesterday for the edification of Lorquas Ptomel, 
and, as I must confess thart my prowess gave me 
no little satisfaction, I responded quickly, leaping 
entirely over the parked chariots on the far side of 
the incubator. As I returned, Lorquas Ptomel 
grunted something at me, and turning to his war¬ 
riors gave a few words of command relative to 
the incubator. They paid no further attention to 
me and I was thus permitted to remain close and 
watch their operations, which consisted in break¬ 
ing an opening in the wall of the incubator large 
enough to permit of the exit of the young 
Martians. 

On either side of this opening the women and 
the younger Martians, both male and female, 
formed two solid walls leading out through the 
chariots and quite away into the plain beyond. 

[65.1 





A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Between these walls the little Martians scampered 
wild as deer; being permitted to run the full lengtl! 
of the aisle, where they were captured one at 
time by the women and older children; the last ii 
the line capturing the first little one to reach th 
end of the gauntlet, her opposite in the line cap 
turing the second, and so on until all the littl 
fellows had left the enclosure and been apprc 
priated by some youth or female. As the wome 
caught the young they fell out of line and retume 
to their respective chariots, while those who fel 
into the hands of the young men were later tume< 
over to some of the women. 

I saw that the ceremony, if it could be dignifie 
by such a name, was over, and seeking out Sol 
I found her in our chariot with a hideous littl 
creature held tightly in her arms. 

The work' of rearing young, green Martian 
consists solely in teaching them to talk, and t 
use the weapons of warfare with which they ar 
loaded down from the very first year of their lives 
Coming from eggs in which they have lain fo 
five years, the period of incubation, they step fort! 
into the world perfectly developed except in size 
Entirely unknown to their own mothers, who, ii 
turn, would have difficulty in pointing out th< 
[ 66 ] 




CHILD-RAISING ON MARS 


fathers with any degree of accuracy, they are the 
common children of the community, and their edu¬ 
cation devolves upon the females who chance to 
capture them as they leave the incubator. 

Their foster mothers may not even have had 
an egg in the incubator, as was the case with Sola, 
who had not commenced to lay, until less than a 
year before she became the mother of another 
woman’s offspring. But this counts for little 
among the green Martians, as parental and filial^ 
love is as unknown to them as it is common among 
us. I believe this horrible system which has been 
carried on for ages is the direct cause of the loss 
of all the finer feelings and higher humanitarian 
instincts among these poor creatures. From birth 
they know no father or mother love, they know 
not the meaning of the word home; they are taught 
that they are only suffered to live until they can 
demonstrate by their physique and ferocity that 
they are fit to live. Should they prove deformed 
or defective in any way they are promptly shot; 
nor do they see a tear shed for a single one of the 
many cruel hardships they pass through from 
earliest infancy. 

I do not mean that the adult Martians are 
unnecessarily or intentionally cruel to the young, 
[ 6 ?] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


but theirs is a hard and pitiless struggle for exist- 
ence upon a dying planet, the natural resources of 
which have dwindled to a point where the support 
of each additional life means an added tax upon 
the community into which it is thrown. 

By careful selection they rear only the hardiest 
specimens of each species, and with almost super¬ 
natural foresight they regulate the birth rate to 
merely offset the loss by death. Each adult Mar¬ 
tian female brings forth about thirteen eggs each 
year, and those which meet the size, weight, and 
specific gravity tests are hidden in the recesses of 
some subterranean vault where the temperature is 
too low for incubation. Every year these eggs 
are carefully examined by a council of twenty 
chieftains, and all but about one hundred of the 
most perfect are destroyed out of each yearly 
supply. At the end of five years about five hun¬ 
dred almost perfect eggs have been chosen from 
the thousands brought forth. These are then 
placed in the almost air-tight incubators to be 
hatched by the sun’s rays after a period of another 
five years. The hatching which we had witnessed 
today was a fairly representative event of its land, 
all but about one per.cent of the eggs hatching in 
two days. If the remaining eggs ever hatched we 
[ 68 ] 




CHILD-RAISING ON MARS 


knew nothing of the fate of the little Martians. 
They were not wanted, as their offspring might 
inherit and transmit the tendency to prolonged 
incubation, and thus upset the system which has 
maintained for ages and which permits the adult 
Martians to figure the proper time for return to 
the incubators, almost to an hour. 

The incubators are built in remote fastnesses, 
where there is little or no likelihood of their being 
discovered by other tribes. The result of such a 
catastrophe would mean no children in the commu¬ 
nity for another five years. I was later to wit¬ 
ness the results of the discovery of an alien incu¬ 
bator. 

The community of which the green Martians 
with whom my lot was cast formed a part was 
composed of some thirty thousand souls. They 
roamed an enormous tract of arid and semi-arid 
land between forty and eighty degrees south lati¬ 
tude, and bounded on the east and west by two 
large fertile tracts. Their headquarters lay in 
the southwest corner of this district, near the cross¬ 
ing of two of the so-called Martian canals. 

As the incubator had been placed far north of 
their own territory in a supposedly uninhabited 
and unfrequented area, we had before us a tre- 

[69] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


mendous journey, concerning which I, of course, 
knew nothing. 

After our return to the dead city I passed sev¬ 
eral days in comparative idleness. On the day fol¬ 
lowing our return all the warriors had ridden forth 
early in the morning and had not returned until 
just before darkness fell. As I later learned, they 
had been to the subterranean vaults in which the 
eggs were kept and had transported them to the 
incubator, which they had then walled up for 
another five years, and which, in all probability, 
would not be visited again during that period. 

The vaults which hid the eggs until they were 
ready for the incubator were located many miles 
south of the incubator, and would be visited yearly 
by the council of twenty chieftains. Why they did 
not arrange to build their vaults and incubators 
nearer home has always been a mystery to me, and, 
like many other Martian mysteries, unsolved and 
unsolvable by earthly reasoning and customs. 

Sola’s duties were now doubled, as she was com¬ 
pelled to care for the young Martian as well as 
for me, but neither one of us required much atten¬ 
tion, and as we were both about equally advanced 
in Martian education, Sola took it upon herself tc 
train us together. 


[70] 



CHILD-RAISING ON MARS 


Her prize consisted in a male about four feet 
tall, very strong and physically perfect; also, he 
learned quickly, and we had considerable amuse¬ 
ment, at least I did, over the keen rivalry we dis¬ 
played. The Martian language, as I have said, 
is extremely simple, and in a week I could make 
all my wants known and understand nearly every¬ 
thing that was said to me. Likewise, under Sola’s 
tutelage, I developed my telepathic powers so that 
I shortly could sense practically everything that 
went on around me. 

What surprised Sola most in me was that while 
I could catch telepathic messages easily from 
others, and often when they were not intended for 
me, no one could read a jot from my mind under 
any circumstances. At first this vexed me, but 
later I was very glad of it, as it gave me an 
undoubted advantage over the Martians. 



CHAPTER yill 

A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY 
HE third day after the incubator ceremony 



JL we set forth toward home, hot scarcely had 
the head of the procession debouched into the 
open ground before the city than orders were 
given for an immediate and hasty return. As 
though trained for years in this particular evolu¬ 
tion, the green Martians melted like mist into 
the spacious doorways of the near-by buildings, 
until, in less than three minutes, the entire caval¬ 
cade of chariots, mastodons and mounted warriors 
was nowhere to be seen. 

Sola and I had entered a building upon the 
front of the city, in fact, the same one in which 
I had had my encounter with the apes, and, wish¬ 
ing to see what had caused the sudden retreat, I 
mounted to an upper floor and peered from the 
window out over the valley and the hills beyond; 
and there I saw the cause of their sudden scurry¬ 
ing to cover. A huge craft, long, low, and gray 
painted, swung slowly over the crest of the nearest 


[72] 


A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY 


hill. Following it came another, and another, and 
another, until twenty of them, swinging low above 
the ground, sailed slowly and majestically toward 

us. 

Each carried a strange banner swung from stem 
to stem above the upper works, and upon the prow 
of each was painted some odd device that gleamed 
in the sunlight and showed plainly even at the 
distance at which we were from the vessels. I 
could see figures crowding the forward decks and 
upper works of the air craft. Whether they had 
discovered us or simply were looking at the 
deserted city I could not say, but in any event 
they received a rude reception, for suddenly and 
without warning the green Martian warriors fired 
a terrific volley from the windows of the buildings 
facing the little valley across which the great ships 
were so peacefully advancing. 

Instantly the scene changed as by magic; the 
foremost vessel swung broadside toward us, and 
bringing her guns into play returned our fire, at 
the same time moving parallel to our front for a 
short distance and then turning back with the evi¬ 
dent intention of completing a great circle which 
would bring her up to position once more opposite 
our firing line; the other vessels followed in her 

[ 73 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


wake, each one opening upon us as she swung int< 
position. Our own fire never diminished, and . 
doubt if twenty-five per cent of our shots wen 
wild. It had never been given me to see sue! 
deadly accuracy of aim, and it seemed as thougl 
a little figure on one of the craft dropped at the 
explosion of each bullet, while the banners anc 
upper works dissolved in spurts of flame as the 
irresistible projectiles of our warriors mowed 
through them. 

The fire from the vessels was most ineffectual, 
owing, as I afterward learned, to the unexpected 
suddenness of the first volley, which caught the 
ship’s crews entirely unprepared and the sighting 
apparatus of the guns unprotected from the deadlj 
aim of our warriors. 

It seems that each green warrior has certair 
objective points for his fire under relatively iden¬ 
tical circumstances of warfare. For example, a 
proportion of them, always the best marksmen 
. direct their fire entirely upon the wireless finding 
and sighting apparatus of the big guns of ar 
attacking naval force; another detail attends tc 
the smaller guns in the same way; others pick of 
the^gunners; still others the officers; while certair 
other quotas concentrate their attention upon th< 

[74] 



A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY 


other members of the crew, upon the upper works, 
and upon the steering gear and propellers. 

Twenty minutes after the first volley the great 
fleet swung trailing off in the direction from which 
it had first appeared. Several of the craft were 
limping perceptibly, and seemed but barely under 
the control of their depleted crews. Their fire 
had ceased entirely and all their energies seemed 
focused upon escape. Our warriors then rushed 
up to the roofs of the buildings which we occupied 
and followed the retreating armada with a con¬ 
tinuous fusillade of deadly fire. 

One by one, however, the ships managed to dip 
below the crests of the outlying hills until only one 
barely moving craft was in sight This had 
received the brunt of our fire and seemed to be 
entirely unmanned, as not a moving figure was 
visible upon her decks. Slowly she swung from 
her course, circling back toward us in an erratic 
and pitiful manner. Instantly the warriors ceased 
firing, for it was quite apparent that the vessel 
was entirely helpless, and, far from being in a 
position to inflict harm upon us, she could not even 
control herself sufficiently to escape. 

As she neared the city the warriors rushed out 
upon the plain to meet her, but it was evident that 
[ 75 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


she still was too high for them to hope to rea 
her decks. From my vantage point in the wind( 
I could see the bodies of her crew strewn abo 
although I could not make out what manner 
creatures they might be. Not a sign of life v 
manifest upon her as she drifted slowly with t 
light breeze in a southeasterly direction. 

She was drifting some fifty feet above t 
ground, followed by all but some hundred of t 
warriors who had been ordered back to the roc 
to cover the possibility of a return of the fleet, 
of reinforcements. It soon became evident tl 
she would strike the face of the buildings abc 
a mile south of our position, and as I watch 
the progress of the chase I saw a number of w; 
riors gallop ahead, dismount and enter the bui 
ing she seemed destined to touch. 

As the craft neared the building, and just befc 
she struck, the Martian warriors swarmed up 
her from the windows, and with their great spe; 
eased the shock of the collision, and in a ft 
moments they had thrown out grappling hooks a 
the big boat was being hauled to ground by th< 
fellows below. 

After making her fast, they swarmed the sic 
and searched the vessel from stem to stem. 
[761 



A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY 


could see them examining the dead sailors, evi¬ 
dently for signs of life, and presently a party of 
them appeared from below dragging a little figure 
among them. The creature was considerably less 
than half as tall as the green Martian warriors, 
and from my balcony I could see that it walked 
erect upon two legs and surmised that it was some 
new and strange Martian monstrosity with which 
I had not as yet become acquainted. 

They removed their prisoner to the ground and 
then commenced a systematic rifling of the vessel. 
This operation required several hours, during 
which time a number of the chariots were requisi¬ 
tioned to transport the loot, which consisted in 
arms, ammunition, silks, furs, jewels, strangely 
carved stone vessels, and a quantity of solid foods 
and liquids, including many casks of water, the 
first I had seen since my advent upon Mars. 

After the last load had been removed the war¬ 
riors made lines fast to the craft and towed her 
far out into the valley in a southwesterly direction. 
A few of them then boarded her and were busily 
engaged in what appeared, from my distant posi¬ 
tion, as the emptying of the contents of various 
carboys upon the dead bodies of the sailors and 
over the decks and works of the vessel. 

[77] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


This operation concluded, they hastily cla 
bered over her sides, sliding down the guy ropes 
the ground. The last warrior to leave the de 
turned and threw something back upon the vess 
waiting an instant to note the outcome of his a 
As a faint spurt of flame rose from the po 
where the missile struck he swung over the si 
and was quickly upon the ground. Scarcely h 
he alighted than the guy ropes were simuitaneou: 
released, and the great warship, lightened by t 
removal of the loot, soared majestically into t 
air, her decks and upper works a mass of roari 
flames. 

Slowly she drifted to the southeast, rising high 
and higher as the flames ate away her wood 
parts and diminished the weight upon her. Ascer 
ing to the roof of the building I watched^ her f 
hours, until Anally she was lost in the dim vist 
of the distance. The sight was awe-inspiring 
the extreme as one contemplated this mighty flo; 
ing funeral pyre, drifting unguided and unmann 
through the lonely wastes of the Martian heaver 
a derelict of death and destruction, typifying t 
life story of these strange and ferocious creatur 
into whose unfriendly hands fate had carried it. 

Much depressed, and, to me, unaccountably $ 

[78] , 



A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY 


I slowly descended to the street. The scene I had 
witnessed seemed to mark the defeat and annihi¬ 
lation of the forces of a kindred people, rather 
than the routing by our green warriors of a horde 
of similar, though unfriendly, creatures. I could 
not fathom the seeming hallucination, nor could 
I free myself from it; but somewhere in the inner¬ 
most recesses of my soul I felt a strange yearning 
toward these unknown foemen, and a mighty hope 
surged through me that the fleet would return and 
demand a reckoning from the green warriors who 
had so ruthlessly and wantonly attacked it. 

Close at my heel, in his now accustomed place, 
followed Woola, the hound, and as I emerged 
upon the street Sola rushed up to me as though 
I had been the object of some search on her part. 
The cavalcade was returning to the plaza, the 
homeward march having been given up for that 
day; nor, in fact, was it recommenced for more 
than a week, owing to the fear of a return attack 
by the air craft. 

Lorquas Ptomel was too astute an old warrior 
to be caught upon the open plains with a caravan 
of chariots and children, and so we remained at 
the deserted city until the danger seemed passed. 

As Sola and I entered the plaza a sight met my 

[ 79 ] 





A PRINCESS OF MARS 


eyes which filled my whole being with a great su 
of mingled hope, fear, exultation, and depressi 
and yet most dominant was a subtle sense of re' 
and happiness; for just as we neared the thrc 
of Martians I caught a glimpse of the priso 
from the battle craft who was being roug 
dragged into a near-by building by a couple 
green Martian females. 

And the sight which met my eyes was that o 
slender, girlish figure, similar in every detail 
the earthly women of my past life. She did 
see me at first, but just as she was disappear 
through the portal of the building which was to 
her prison she turned, and her eyes met mine. I 
face was oval and beautiful in the extreme, . 
every feature was finely chiseled and exquisite, 
eyes large and lustrous and her head surmoun 
by a mass of coal black, waving hair, cau:i 
loosely into a strange yet becoming coiffure. 1 
skin was of a light reddish copper color, agai 
which the crimson glow of her cheeks and the n 
of her beautifully molded lips shone with 
strangely enhancing effect. 

She was as destitute of clothes as the gr: 
Martians who accompanied her; indeed, save 
her highly wrought ornaments she was entir 
[80] 



A FAIR CAPTIVE FROM THE SKY 


naked, nor could any apparel have enhanced the 
beauty of her perfect and symmetrical figure. 

As her gaze rested on me her eyes opened wide 
in astonishment, and she made a little sign with 
her free hand; a sign which I did not, of course, 
understand. Just a moment we gazed upon each 
other, and then the look of hope and renewed 
courage which had glorified her face as she dis¬ 
covered me, faded into one of utter dejection, 
mingled with loathing and contempt. I realized 
I had not answered her signal, and ignorant as I 
was of Martian customs, I intuitively felt that she 
had made an appeal for succor and protection 
which my unfortunate ignorance had prevented 
me from answering. And then she was dragged 
®ut of my sight into the depths of the deserted 
edifice. 




CHAPTER IX 

I LEARN THE LANGUAGE 


> I came back to myself I glanced at Sc 



/jLwho had witnessed this encounter and I v 
surprised to note a strange expression upon 1 
usually expressionless countenance. What 1 
thoughts were I did not know, for as yet I h 
learned but little of the Martian tongue; enoc 
only to suffice for my daily needs, 

As I reached the doorway of our building 
strange surprise awaited me. A warrior 
proached bearing the arms, ornaments, and i 
accouterments of his kind. These he presen 
to me with a few unintelligible words, and a be 
ing at once respectful and menacing. 

Later, Sola, with the aid of several of the ot 
women, remodeled the trappings to fit my les 
proportions, and after they completed the w< 
I went about garbed in all the panoply of war. 

From then on Sola instructed me in the n 
teries of the various weapons, and with the N. 
tian young I spent several hours each day p] 


[*a] 



/ LEARN THE LANGUAGE 


ticing upon the plaza. I was not yet proficient 
with all the weapons, but my great familiarity 
with similar earthly weapons made me an unusually 
apt pupil, and I progressed in a very satisfactory 
manner. 

The training of myself and the young Martians 
was conducted solely by the women, who not only 
attend to the education of the young in the arts 
of individual defense and offense, but are also the 
artisans who produce every manufactured article 
wrought by the green Martians. They make the 
powder, the cartridges, the fire arms; in fact every¬ 
thing of value is produced by the females. In 
time of actual warfare they form a part of the 
reserves, and when the necessity arises fight with 
even greater intelligence and ferocity than the 
men. 

The men are trained in the higher branches of 
the art of war; in strategy and the maneuvering 
of large bodies of troops. They make the laws 
as they are needed; a new law for each emergency e 
They are unfettered by precedent in the admin* 
istration of justice. Customs have been handed 
down by ages of repetition, but the punishment 
for ignoring a custom is a matter for individual 
treatment by a jury of the culprit’s peers, and I 

[83] 


. ■ 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


may say that justice seldom misses fire, but seems 
rather to rule in inverse ratio to the ascendency 
of law. In one respect at least the Martians are 
a happy people; they have no lawyers. 

I did not see the prisoner again for several days 
subsequent to our first encounter, and then only 
to catch a fleeting glimpse of her as she was being 
conducted to the great audience chamber where 
I had had my first meeting with Lorquas Ptomel. 
I could not but note the unnecessary harshness and 
brutality with which her guards treated her; so 
different from the almost maternal kindliness 
which Sola manifested toward me, and the respect¬ 
ful attitude of the few green Martians who took 
the trouble to notice me at all. 

I had observed on the two occasions when I had 
seen her that the prisoner exchanged words with 
her guards, and this convinced me that they spoke, 
or at least could make themselves understood by 
a common language. With this added incentive 
I nearly drove Sola distracted by my importunities 
to hasten on my education, and within a few more 
days I had mastered the Martian tongue suffi¬ 
ciently well to enable me to carry on a passable 
conversation and to fully understand practically 
all that I heard. 


[8 4 ] 




I LEARN THE LANGUAGE 


At this time our sleeping quarters were occupied 
by three or four females and a couple of the 
recently hatched young, beside Sola and her youth¬ 
ful ward, myself, and Woola the hound. After 
they had retired for the night it was customary 
for the adults to carry on a desultory conversation 
for a short time before lapsing into sleep, and 
now that I could understand their language I was 
always a keen listener, although I never proffered 
any remarks myself. 

On the night following the prisoner’s visit to 
the audience chamber the conversation finally fell 
upon this subject, and I was all ears on the instant. 
I had feared to question Sola relative to the beau¬ 
tiful captive, as I could not but recall the strange 
expression I had noted upon her face after my first 
encounter with the prisoner. That it denoted 
jealousy I could not say, and yet, judging all things 
by mundane standards as I still did, I felt it safer 
to affect indifference in the matter until I learned 
more surely Sola’s attitude toward the object of 
my solicitude. 

Sarkoja, one of the older women who shared 
our domicile, had been present at the audience as 
one of die captive’s guards, and it was toward her 
the questioners turned. 

[85] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


<? 


“When,” asked one of the women, “will wc 
enjoy the death throes of the red one? or doe? 
Lorquas Ptomel, Jed, intend holding her foi 
ransom ?” 

“ They have decided to carry her with us back 
to Thark, and exhibit her last agonies at the greal 
games before Tal Hajus,” replied Sarkoja. 

“What will be the manner of her going out?’ 
inquired Sola. “ She is very small and very beau¬ 
tiful; I had hoped that they would hold her foi 
ransom.” 

Sarkoja and the other women grunted angril) 
at this evidence of weakness on the part of Sola 

“ It is sad, Sola, that you were not born a mil 
lion years ago,” snapped Sarkoja, “when all th< 
hollows of the land were filled with water, and th< 
peoples were as soft as the stuff they sailed upon 
In our day we have progressed to a point when 
such sentiments mark weakness and atavism. I 
> will not be well for you to permit Tars Tarkas tc 
learn that you hold such degenerate sentiments, a: 
I doubt that he would care to entrust such as yoi 
with the grave responsibilities of maternity.” 

“I see nothing wrong with my expression o 
interest in this red woman,” retorted Sola. “ Sh 
has never harmed us, nor w^ould she should w 
[ 86 ] 




1 LEARN THE LANGUAGE 


have fallen into her hands. It is only the men 
of her kind who war upon us, and I have ever 
thought that their attitude toward us is but the 
reflection of ours toward them. They live at peace 
with all their fellows, except when duty calls upon 
them to make war, while we are at peace with 
none; forever warring among our own kind as well 
as upon the red men, and even in our own com¬ 
munities the individuals fight amongst themselves. 
Oh, it is one continual, awful period of blood¬ 
shed from the time we break the shell until we 
gladly embrace the bosom of the river of mystery, 
the dark and ancient Iss which carries us to an 
unknown, but at least no more frightful and ter¬ 
rible existence! Fortunate indeed is he who meets 
his end in an early death. Say what you please to 
Tars Tarkas, he can mete out no worse fate to 
me than a continuation of the horrible existence 
we are forced to lead in this life. ,> 

This wild outbreak on the part of Sola so greatly 
surprised and shocked the other women, that, 
after a few words of general reprimand, they all 
lapsed into silence and ‘were soon asleep. One 
thing the episode had accomplished was to assure 
me of Sola’s friendliness toward the poor girl, and 
also to convince me that I had been extremely 

[87] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


fortunate in falling into her hands rather than 
those of some of the other females. I knew that 
she was fond of me, and now that I had discovered 
that she hated cruelty and barbarity I was confi¬ 
dent that I could depend upon her to aid me and 
the girl captive to escape, provided of course that 
such a thing was within the range of possibilities. 

I did not even know that there were any better 
conditions to escape to, but I was more than willing 
to take my chances among people fashioned after 
my own mold rather than to remain longer among 
the hideous and bloodthirsty green men of Mars. 
But where to go, and how, was as much of a puzzle 
to me as the age old search for the spring of 
eternal life has been to earthly men since the begin¬ 
ning of time. 

I decided that at the first opportunity I would 
take Sola into my confidence and openly ask her 
to aid me, and with this resolution strong upon 
^ me I turned among my silks and furs and slept 
the dreamless and refreshing sleep of Mars. 


[ 38 ] 



CHAPTER X 

CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


E ARLY the next morning I was astir. Con¬ 
siderable freedom was allowed me, as Sola 
had informed me that so long as I did not attempt 
to leave the city I was free to go and come as I 
pleased. She had warned me, however, against 
venturing forth unarmed, as this city, like all other 
deserted metropolises of an ancient Martian 
civilization, was peopled by the great white apes 
of my second day's adventure. 

In advising me that I must not leave the boun¬ 
daries of the city Sola had explained that Woola 
would prevent this anyway should I attempt it, and 
she warned me most urgently not to arouse his 
fierce nature by ignoring his warnings should I 
venture too close to the forbidden territory. His 
nature was such, she said, that he would bring me 
hack into the city dead or alive should I persist 
in opposing him; “preferably dead,” she added. 

On this morning I had chosen a new street to 
explore when suddenly I found myself at the 

[89] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


limits of the city. Before me were low hills pierce 
by narrow and inviting ravines. I longed t 
explore the country before me, and, like the pionee 
stock from which I sprang, to view what the lane 
scape beyond the encircling hills might disclos 
from the summits which shut out my view. 

It also occurred to me that this would prov 
an excellent opportunity to test the qualities o 
Woola. I was convinced that the brute love 
me; I had seen more evidences of affection in hir 
than in any other Martian animal, man or beasl 
and I was sure that gratitude for the acts that ha< 
twice saved his life would more than outweigl 
his loyalty to the duty imposed upon him by crue 
and loveless masters. 

As I approached the boundary line Woola rai 
anxiously before me, and thrust his body agains 
my legs. His expression was pleading rather thai 
ferocious, nor did he bare his great tusks or utte 
his fearful guttural warnings. Denied the friend 
ship and companionship of my kind, I had devel 
oped considerable affection for Woola and Sola 
for the normal earthly man must have some outle 
for his natural affections, and so I decided upoi 
an appeal to a like instinct in this great brute, sur 
that I would not be disappointed. 

[90] 

f 




CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


I had never petted nor fondled him, but now I 
sat upon the ground and putting my arms around 
his heavy neck I stroked and coaxed him, talking 
in my newly acquired Martian tongue as I would 
have to my hound at home, as I would have talked 
to any other friend among the lower animals. His 
response to my manifestation of affection was 
remarkable to a degree; he stretched his great 
mouth to its full width, baring the entire expanse 
of his upper rows of tusks and wrinkling his snout 
until his great eyes were almost hidden by the folds 
of flesh. If you have ever seen a collie smile you 
may have some idea of Woola’s facial distortion. 

He threw himself upon his back and fairly wal¬ 
lowed at my feet; jumped up and sprang upon 
me, rolling me upon the ground by his great 
weight; then wriggling and squirming around me 
like a playful puppy presenting its back for the 
petting it craves. I could not resist the ludicrous¬ 
ness of the spectacle, and holding my sides I rocked 
back and forth in the first laughter which had 
passed my lips in many days; the first, in fact, 
since the morning Powell had left camp when his 
horse, long unused, had precipitately and unex¬ 
pectedly bucked him off headforemost into a pot of 
frijoles. 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


My laughter frightened Woola, his an 
ceased and he crawled pitifully toward me, pok 
his ugly head far into my lap; and then I rem 
bered what laughter signified on Mars — torti 
suffering, death. Quieting myself, I rubbed 
poor old fellow’s head and back, talked to 1 
for a few minutes, and then in an authorital 
tone commanded him to follow me, and aris 
started for the hills. 

There was no further question of autho: 
between us; Woola was my devoted slave fr 
that moment hence, and I his only and undispu 
master. My walk to the hills occupied but a i 
minutes, and I found nothing of particular inter 
to reward me. Numerous brilliantly colored j 
strangely formed wild flowers dotted the ravi 
and from the summit of the first hill I saw s 
other hills stretching off toward the north, i 
rising, one range above another, until lost in mo 
tains of quite respectable dimensions; thougl 
afterward found that only a few peaks on all M 
exceed four thousand feet in height; the suggest 
of magnitude was merely relative. 

My morning’s walk had been large with imp 
tance to me for it had resulted in a perfect unc 
standing with Woola, upon whom Tars Tar] 
[ 92 ] 



CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


relied for my safe keeping. I now knew that while 
theoretically a prisoner I was virtually free, and 
I hastened to regain the city limits before the 
defection of Woola could be discovered by his 
erstwhile masters. The adventure decided me 
never again to leave the limits of my prescribed 
stamping grounds until I was ready to venture 
forth for good and all, as it would certainly result 
in a curtailment of my liberties, as well as the 
probable death of Woola, were we to be dis¬ 
covered. 

i On regaining the plaza I had my third glimpse 
of the captive girl. She w r as standing with her 
! guards before the entrance to the audience 
chamber, and as I approached she gave me one 
haughty glance and turned her back full upon me. 
The act was so womanly, so earthly womanl} r , 
that though it stung my pride it also warmed my 
heart with a feeling of companionship; it was good 
to know that some one else on Mars beside myself 
had human instincts of a civilized order, even 
j though the manifestation of them was so painful 
and mortifying. 

Had a green Martian woman desired to show 
' dislike or contempt she would, in all likelihood, 

* have done it with a sword thrust or a movement 

[ 93 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


of her trigger finger; but as their sentiments a 
mostly atrophied it would have required a seric 
injury to have aroused such passions in the 
Sola, let me add, was an exception; I never s; 
her perform a cruel or uncouth act, or fail in u 
form kindliness and good nature. She was inded 
as her fellow Martian had said of her, an atavisi 
a dear and precious reversion to a former ty 
of loved and loving ancestor. 

Seeing that the prisoner seemed the center 
attraction I halted to view the proceedings, 
had not long to wait for presently Lorquas Pton 
and his retinue of chieftains approached the bui 
ing and, signing the guards to follow with t 
prisoner, entered the audience chamber. Real 
ing that I was a somewhat favored character, a 
also convinced that the warriors did not know 
my proficiency in their language, as I had pie 
with Sola to keep this a secret on the grounds tl 
I did not wish to be forced to talk with the ir 
until I had perfectly mastered the Martian tong 
I chanced an attempt to enter the audiei 
chamber and listen to. the proceedings. 

The council squatted upon the steps of the r 
trum, while below them stood the prisoner a 
her two guards. I saw that one of the won 

- [94] 




CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


as Sarkoja, and thus understood how she had 
?en present at the hearing of the preceding day, 
le results of which she had reported to the occu- 
ants of our dormitory last night Her attitude 
>ward the captive was most harsh and brutal. 
iThen she held her, she sunk her rudimentary nails 
ito the poor girl’s flesh, or twisted her arm in 
most painful manner. When it was necessary 
) move from one spot to another she either jerked 
er roughly, or pushed her headlong before her. 
he seemed to be venting upon this poor defense¬ 
's creature all the hatred, cruelty, ferocity, and 
)ite of her nine hundred years, backed by unguess- 
ble ages of fierce and brutal ancestors. 

The other woman was less cruel because she 
as entirely indifferent; if the prisoner had been 
ft to her alone* and fortunately she was at night, 
le would have received no harsh treatment, nor, 
1 the same token would she have received any 
tention at all. 

As Lorquas Ptomel raised his eyes to address 
e prisoner they fell on me and he turned to Tars 
arkas with a word, and gesture of impatience, 
ars Tarkas made some reply which I could not 
tch, but which caused Lorquas Ptomel to smile; 
ter which they paid no further attention to me* 
[ 95 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“ What is your name?” asked Lorquas Ptoi 
addressing the prisoner. 

“Dejah Thoris, daughter of Mors Kajat 
Helium/’ 

“And the nature of your expedition?” He - 
tinued. 

“It was a purely scientific research party 
out by my father’s father, the Jeddak of Heli 
to rechart the air currents, and to take atmosph 
density tests,” replied the fair prisoner, in a ] 
well modulated voice. 

“We were unprepared for battle,” she 
tinued, “ as we were on a peaceful mission, as 
banners and the colors of our craft denoted, 
work we were doing was as much in your inter 
as in ours, for you know full well that were it 
for our labors and the fruits of our scier 
operations there would not be enough air or w 
on Mars to support a single human life. For j 
we have maintained the air and water suppl 
practically the same point without an appreci 
loss, and we have done this in the face of 
brutal and ignorant interference of }^ou green r 

“Why, oh, why will you not learn to liv 
amity with your fellows, must you ever go 
down the ages to your final extinction but 1 
[ 96 ] 



CHAMPION AND CHIEF _ 

- . .* 

above the plane of the dumb brutes that serve you ! 
A people without written language, without art, 
without homes, without love; the victims of eons 
of the horrible community idea. Owning every¬ 
thing in common, even to your women and chil¬ 
dren, has resulted in your owning nothing in 
common. You hate each other as you hate all else 
except yourselves. Come back to the ways of our 
common ancestors, come back to the light of kind¬ 
liness and fellowship. The way is open to you, 
you will find the hands of the red men stretched 
out to aid you. Together we may do still more 
to regenerate our dying planet. The grand¬ 
daughter of the greatest and mightiest of the red 
jeddaks has asked you. Will you come?” 

Lorquas Ptomel and the warriors sat looking 
silently and intently at the young woman for sev¬ 
eral moments after she had ceased speaking. 
What was passing in their minds no man may 
know, but that they were moved I truly believe, 
and if one man high among them had been strong 
enough to rise above custom, that moment would 
I have marked a new and mighty era for Mars. 

I saw Tars Tarka9 rise^to speak, and on his 
face was such an expression as I had never seen 
upon the countenance of a green Martian warrior. 

[ 97 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Ic bespoke an inward and mighty battle with s< 
with heredity, with age-old custom, and as 
opened his mouth to speak, a look almost 
benignity, of kindliness, momentarily lighted 
his fierce and terrible countenance. 

What words of moment were to have fal 
from his lips were never spoken, as just ther 
young warrior, evidently sensing the trend 
thought among the older men, leaped down fr< 
the steps of the rostrum, and striking the fr 
captive a powerful blow across the face, wh 
felled her to the floor, placed his foot upon 1 
prostrate form and turning toward the assemb] 
council broke into peals of horrid, mirthl 
laughter. 

For an instant I thought Tars Tarkas woi 
strike him dead, nor did the aspect of Lorqi 
Ptomel augur any too favorably for the bru 
but the mood passed, their old selves reasserl 
their ascendency, and they smiled. It was p 
tentous however that they did not laugh aloud, i 
the brute’s act constituted a side-splitting wittici 
according to the ethics which rule green Marti 
humor. 

That I have taken moments to write down 
part of what occurred as that blow fell does i 

[98] 



CHAMPION AND CHIEF 

signify that I jremained inactive for any such 
length of time. I think I must have sensed some¬ 
thing of what was coming, for I realize now that 
I was crouched as for a spring as I saw the blow 
aimed at her beautiful, upturned, pleading face, 
and ere the hand descended I was halfway across 
the hall. 

Scarcely had his hideous laugh rang out but 
once, when I was upon him. The brute was twelve 
feet in height and armed to the teeth, but I believe 
that I could have accounted for the whole room¬ 
ful in the terrific intensity of my rage. Springing 
upward, I struck him full in the face as he turned 
at my warning cry and then as he drew his short- 
sword I drew mine and sprang up again upon his 
breast, hooking one leg over the butt of his pistol 
and grasping one of his huge tusks with my left 
hand while I delivered blow after blow upon his 
enormous chest. 

He could not use his short-sword to advantage 
because I was too close to him, nor could he draw 
his pistol, which he attempted to do in direct oppo¬ 
sition to Martian custom which says that you may 
not fight a fellow warrior in private combat with 
any other than the weapon with which you are 
attacked. In fact he could do nothing but make a 

[99] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


wild and futile attempt to dislodge me. With a! 
his immense bulk he was little if any stronger tha 
I, and it was but the matter of a moment or tw 
before he sank, bleeding and lifeless, to the flooi 

Dejah Thoris had raised herself upon one elboi 
and was watching the battle with wide, starin 
eyes. When I had regained my feet I raised he 
in my arms and bore her to one of the benches a 
the side of the room. 

Again no Martian interfered with me, and teal 
ing a piece of silk from my cape I endeavored t 
staunch the flow of blood from her nostrils, 
was soon successful as her injuries amounted t 
little more than an ordinary nosebleed, and whe: 
she could speak she placed her hand upon my arn 
and looking up into my eyes, said: 

“Why did you it? You who refused me evei 
friendly recognition in the first hour of my peril 
And now you risk your life and kill one of you 
companions for my sake. I cannot understand 
What strange manner of man are you, that yoi 
consort with the green men, though your forn 
is that of my race, while your color is little darke: 
than that of the white ape? Tell me, are yoi 
human, or are you more than human?” 

“It is a strange tale,” I replied, “too long tc 
[ ioo ] 






CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


attempt to tell you now, and one which I so much 
doubt the credibility of myself that I fear to hope 
that others will believe it. Suffice it, for the 
present, that I am your friend, and, so far as our 
captors will permit, your protector and your 
servant.” 

“Then you too are a prisoner? But why, then, 
those arms and the regalia of a Tharkian 
chieftain? What is your name? Where your 
country ? ” 

“Yes, Dejah Thoris, I too am a prisoner; my 
name is John Carter, and I claim Virginia, one of 
the United States of America Earth, as my home; 
but why I am permitted to wear arms I do not 
know, nor was I aware that my regalia was that 
of a chieftain.” 

We were interrupted at this juncture by the 
approach of one of the warriors, bearing arms, 
accouterments and ornaments, and in a flash one 
of her questions was answered and a puzzle cleared 
up for me. I saw that the body of my dead antag¬ 
onist had been stripped, and I read in the menacing 
pet respectful attitude of the warrior who had 
brought me these trophies of the kill the same 
iemeanor as that evinced by the other who had 
jrought me my original equipment, and now for 
[ioi] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


the first time I realized that my blow, on the occa 
sion of my first battle in the audience chamber ha< 
resulted in the death of my adversary. 

The reason for the whole attitude displaye( 
toward me was now apparent; I had won my spurs 
so to speak, and in the crude justice, which alway 
marks Martian dealings, and which, among othe 
things, has caused me to call her the planet o 
paradoxes, I was accorded the honors due a con 
queror; the trappings and the position of the mai 
I killed. In truth, I was a Martian chieftain, anc 
this I learned later was the cause of my great free 
dom and my toleration in the audience chamber 

As I had turned to receive the dead warrior’; 
chattels I had noticed that Tars Tarkas and sev 
eral others had pushed forward toward us, anc 
the eyes of the former rested upon me in a mos 
quizzical manner. Finally he addressed me: 

“You speak the tongue of Barsoom quit< 
readily for one who was deaf and dumb to us < 
few short days ago. Where did you learn it, Johr 
Carter?” 

“You, yourself, are responsible, Tars Tarkas,’ 
I replied, “in that you furnished me with ar 
instructress of remarkable ability; I have to than 1 * 
Sola for my learning.” 

f 102 ] 



CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


“ She has done well,” he answered, “ but your 
education in other respects needs considerable 
polish. Do you know what your unprecedented 
temerity would have cost you had you failed to 
kill either of the two chieftains whose metal you 
now wear?” 

“I presume that that one whom I had failed 
to kill, would have killed me,” I answered, smiling. 

“ No, you are wrong. Only in the last extremity 
of self-defense would a Martian warrior kill a 
prisoner; we like to save them for other purposes,” 
and his face bespoke possibilities that were not 
pleasant to dwell upon. 

“But one thing can save you now,” he con¬ 
tinued. “Should you, in recognition of your 
remarkable valor, ferocity, and prowess, be con¬ 
sidered by Tal Ha jus as worthy of his service you 
may be taken into the community and become a 
full-fledged Tharkian. Until we reach the head¬ 
quarters of Tal Hajus it is the will of Lorquas 
Ptomel that you be accorded the respect your 
acts have earned you. You will be treated by us 
as a Tharkian chieftain, but you must not forget 
that every chief who ranks you is responsible for 
your safe delivery to our mighty and most fero¬ 
cious ruler. I am done.” 

[ 103] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“I hear you, Tars Tarlcas,” I answered. “ Ai 
you know I am not of Barsoom; your ways arc 
not my ways, and I can only act In the future as 
I have In the past, in accordance with the dictates 
of my conscience and guided by the standards o\ 
mine own people. If you will leave me alone 1 
will go in peace, but if not, let the individual Bar- 
soomians with whom I must deal either respect 
my rights as a stranger among you, or take what¬ 
ever consequences may befalL Of one tiling let 
us be sure, whatever may be your ultimate inten¬ 
tions toward this unfortunate young woman, who¬ 
ever would offer her injury or insult in the future 
must figure on making a full accounting to me. 
I understand that you belittle all sentiments of 
generosity and kindliness, but I do not, and I can 
convince your most doughty warrior that these 
characteristics are not incompatible with an ability 
to fight.^ 

Ordinarily I am not given to long speeches, 
nor ever before had I descended to bombast, but 
I had guessed at the keynote which would strike 
an answering chord in the breasts of the green 
Martians, nor was I wrong, for my harangue evi¬ 
dently deeply impressed them, and their attitude 
toward me thereafter was still further respectful. 

[ 104] 



CHAMPION AND CHIEF 


Tars Tarkas himself seemed pleased with my 
reply, but his only comment was more or less 
enigmatical — “And I think I know Tal Hajus, 
Jeddak of Thark.” 

I now turned my attention to Dejah Thoris., 
and assisting her to her feet I turned with her 
toward the exit, ignoring her hovering guardian 
harpies as well as the inquiring glances of the 
chieftains. Was I not now a chieftain also! Well, 
then, I would assume the responsibilities of one. 
They did not molest us, and so Dejah Thoris, 
Princess of Helium, and John Carter, gentleman 
of Virginia, followed by the faithful Woola, 
passed through utter silence from the audience 
chamber of Lorquas Ptomel, Jed among the 
Tharks of Barsoom. 


1 105 3 



CHAPTER XI 


WITH DEJAH THORIS 


i we reached the open the two female guar 



ilLwho had been detailed to watch over Dej; 
Thoris hurried up and made as though to assun 
custody of her once more. The poor child shrai 
against me and I felt her two little hands fo 
tightly over my arm. Waving the women awa 
I informed them that Sola would attend the ca 
tive hereafter, and I further warned Sarkoja th 
any more of her cruel attentions bestowed upi 
Dej ah Thoris would result in Sarkoja’s sudd 
and painful demise. 

My threat was unfortunate and resulted in mo 
harm than good to Dej ah Thoris, for, as I learn 
later, men do not kill women upon Mars, n 
women, men. So Sarkoja merely gave us an ug 
look and departed to hatch up deviltries against i 

I soon found Sola and explained to her th 
I wished her to guard Dej ah Thoris as she h; 
guarded me; that I wished her to find oth 
quarters where they would not be molested 


[ 106 ] 


WITH DEJAH THORIS 


Sarkoja, and I finally informed her that I myself 
would take up my quarters among the men. 

Sola glanced at the accouterments which were 
carried in my hand and slung across my shoulder. 

“You are a great chieftain now, John Carter,” 
she said, “ and I must do your bidding, though 
indeed I am glad to do it under any circumstances. 
The man whose metal you carry was young, but 
he was a great warrior, and had by his promotions 
and kills won his way close to the rank of Tars 
Tarkas, who, as you know, is second to Lorquas 
Ptomel only. You are eleventh, there are but ten 
chieftains in this community who rank you in 
prowess.” 

“And if I should kill Lorquas Ptomel?” I 
asked. 

“You would be first, John Carter; but you may 
only win that honor by the will of the entire coun¬ 
cil that Lorquas Ptomel meet you in combat, or 
should he attack you, you may kill him in self- 
defense, and thus win first place.” 

I laughed, and changed the subject. I had no 
particular desire to kill Lorquas Ptomel, and less 
to be a jed among the Tharks. 

I accompanied Sola and Dejah Thoris in a 
search for new quarters, which we found in a build- 
[107] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


ing nearer the audience chamber and of far m 
pretentious architecture than our former hab 
tion. We also found in this building real sleep 
apartments with ancient beds of highly wrou 
metal swinging from enormous gold chains depe 
ing from the marble ceilings. The decoration 
the walls was most elaborate, and, unlike 
frescoes in the other buildings I had examin 
portrayed many human figures in the compositic 
These were of people like myself, and of a nr 
lighter color than Dejah Thoris. They were c 
in graceful, flowing robes, highly ornamented v 
metal and jewels, and their luxuriant hair was 
a beautiful golden and reddish bronze. The n 
were beardless and only a few wore arms. 1 
scenes depicted for the most part, a fair-skinn 
fair-haired people at play. 

Dejah Thoris clasped her hands with' 
exclamation of rapture as she gazed upon th 
magnificent works of art, wrought by a peo 
long extinct; while Sola, on the other hand, apj: 
ently did not see them. 

We decided to use this room, on the sec< 
floor and overlooking the plaza, for Dejah The 
and Sola, and another room adjoining and in 
rear for the cooking and supplies. I then i 
[i°8] 



WITH DEJAH THORIS 


patched Sola to bring the bedding and such food 
and utensils as she might need, telling her that 
I would guard Dejah Thoris until her return. 

As Sola departed Dejah Thoris turned to me 
with a faint smile. 

“ And whereto, then, would your prisoner escape 
should you leave her, unless it was to follow you 
and crave your protection, and ask your pardon 
for the cruel thoughts she has harbored against 
you these past few days?” 

“You are right,” I answered, “there is no 
escape for either of us unless we go together.” 

“ I heard your challenge to the creature you call 
Tars Tarkas, and I think I understand your posi¬ 
tion among these people, but what I cannot fathom 
is your statement that you are not of Barsoom. 

“In the name of my first ancestor, then,” she 
continued, “where may you be from? You are 
like unto my people, and yet so unlike. You speak 
my language, and yet I heard you tell Tars Tarkas 
that you had but learned it recently. All Bar- 
soomians speak the same tongue from the ice-clad 
south to the ice-clad north, though their written 
languages differ. Only in the valley Dor, where 
:he river Iss empties into the lost sea of Korus, 
s there supposed to be a different language spoken* 
[109] 






A PRINCESS OF MARS 


and, except in the legends of our ancestors, tl 
is no record of a Barsoomian returning up 
river Iss, from the shores of Korus in the va 
of Dor. Do not tell me that you have i 
returned! They would kill you horribly anywl 
upon the surface of Barsoom if that were t: 
tell me it is not! ” 

Her eyes were filled with a strange, weird lij 
her voice was pleading, and her little hai 
reached up upon my breast, were pressed aga 
me as though to wring a denial from my ^ 
heart. 

“I do not know your customs, Dejah The 
but in my own Virginia a gentleman does not 
to save himself; I am not of Dor; I have ne 
seen the mysterious Iss; the lost sea of Koru 
still lost, so far as I am concerned. Do 
believe me?” 

And then it struck me suddenly that I was \ 
anxious that she should believe me. It was 
that I feared the results which would follow 
general belief that I had returned from the I 
soomian heaven or hell, or whatever it was. \ 
was it, then! Why should I care what 
thought? I looked down at her; her beaut 
face upturned, and her wonderful eyes opening 
[no] 



WITH DEJAH THORIS 


the very depth of her soul; and as my eyes met 
hers I knew why, and — I shuddered. 

A similar wave of feeling seemed to stir her; 
she drew away from me with a sigh, and with her 
earnest, beautiful face turned up to mine, she whis¬ 
pered: “I believe you, John Carter; I do not 
know what a ‘gentleman’ is, nor have I ever 
heard before of Virginia; but on Barsoom no man 
lies; if he does not wish to speak the truth he is 
silent. Where is this Virginia, your country, John 
Carter?” she asked, and it seemed that this fair 
name of my fair land had never sounded more 
beautiful than as it fell from those perfect lips on 
that far gone day. 

“I am of another world,” I answered, “the 
great planet Earth, which revolves about our com¬ 
mon sun and next within the orbit of your Barsoom, 
which we know as Mars, How I came here I 
cannot tell you, for I do not know; but here I am, 
and since my presence has permitted me to serve 
Dejah Thoris I am glad that I am here.” 

She gazed at me with troubled eyes, long and 
questioningly. That it was difficult to believe my 
statement I well knew, nor could I hope that she 
would do so however much I craved her confidence 
and respect. I would much rather not have Wd 
[in] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


her anything of my antecedents, but no man cov 
look into the depth of those eyes and refuse 1 
slightest behest. 

Finally she smiled, and, rising, said: “I sh 
have to believe even though I cannot understai 
I can readily perceive that you are not of 1 
Barsoom of today; you are like us, yet different 
but why should I trouble my poor head with sucl 
problem, when my heart tells me that I belie 
because I wish to believe! ” 

It was good logic, good, earthly, feminine log 
and if it satisfied her I certainly could pick 
flaws in it. As a matter of fact it was about t 
only kind of logic that could be brought to be 
upon my problem. We fell into a general cc 
versation then, asking and answering many qu 
tions on each side. She was curious to learn 
the customs of my people and displayed a remai 
able knowledge of events on earth. When 
questioned her closely on this seeming familiar; 
with earthly things she laughed, and cried out: 

“Why every school boy on Barsoom kno 
the geography, and much concerning the fau 
and flora, as well as the history of your plar 
fully as well as of his own. Can we not see evei 
thing which takes place upon Earth, as you c 
[112] 



WITH DEJAH THORIS 


it; is it not hanging there in the heavens in plain 
fight?” 

This baffled me, I must confess, fully as much 
as my statements had confounded her; and I told 
her so. She then explained in general the instru¬ 
ments her people had used and been perfecting 
for ages, which permit them to throw upon a 
screen a perfect image of what is transpiring upon 
any planet and upon many of the stars. These 
pictures are so perfect in detail that, when photo¬ 
graphed and enlarged, objects no greater than a 
blade of grass may be distinctly recognized. I 
afterward, in Helium, saw many of these pic¬ 
tures, as well as the instruments which produced 
them. 

“If, then, you are so familiar with earthly 
things,” I asked, “ why is it that you do not recog¬ 
nize me as identical with the inhabitants of that 
planet?” 

She smiled again as one might in bored indul¬ 
gence of a questioning child. 

“Because, John Carter,” she replied, “nearly 
wery planet and star having atmospheric condi- 
:ions at all approaching those of Barsoom, shows 
forms of animal life almost identical with you and 
ne; and, further, Earth men, almost without 
[ ” 3 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


exception, cover their bodies with strange, 
sightly pieces of cloth, and their heads w 
hideous contraptions the purpose of which we h; 
been unable to conceive; while you, when foi 
by the Tharkian warriors, were entirely urn 
figured and unadorned. 

“The fact that you wore no ornaments h 
strong proof of your un-Barsoomian origin, wf 
the absence of grotesque coverings might ca 1 
a doubt as to your earthliness.” 

I then narrated the details of my departure fr 
the Earth, explaining that my body there 
fully clothed in all the, to her, strange garme 
of mundane dwellers. At this point Sola returr 
with our meager belongings and her young Mart 
protege, who, of course, would have to share i 
quarters with them. 

Sola asked us if we had had a visitor dur; 
her absence, and seemed much surprised when 
answered in the negative. It seemed that as i 
had mounted the approach to the upper flo< 
where our quarters were located, she had r 
Sarkoja descending. We decided that she m 
have been eavesdropping, but as we could rec 
nothing of importance that had passed betw< 
us we dismissed the matter as of little consequen 

[114] 



WITH DEJAH THORIS 


merely promising ourselves to be warned to the 
utmost caution in the future. 

Dejah Thoris and I then fell to examining the 
architecture and decorations of the beautiful 
chambers of the building we were occupying. She 
told me that these people had presumably 
flourished over a hundred thousand years before. 
They were the early progenitors of her race, but 
had mixed with the other great race of early Mar¬ 
tians, who were very dark, almost black, and also* 
with the reddish yellow race which had flourished 
at the same time. 

These three great divisions of the higher Mar¬ 
tians had been forced into a mighty alliance as 
the drying up of the Martian seas had compelled 
them to seek the comparatively few and always 
diminishing fertile areas, and to defend them¬ 
selves, under new conditions of life, against the 
wild hordes of green men. 

Ages of close relationship and intermarrying 
had resulted in the race of red men, of which 
Dejah Thoris was a fair and beautiful daughter. 
During the ages of hardships and incessant war¬ 
ring between their own various races, as well as 
with the green men, and before they had fitted 
themselves to the changed conditions, much of the 

[ii 5] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


high civilization and many of the arts of the fa 
haired Martians had become lost; but the red n 
of today has reached a point where it feels tl 
it has made up in new discoveries and in a me 
practical civilization for all that lies irretrieval 
buried with the ancient Barsoomians, beneath t 
countless intervening ages. 

These ancient Martians had been a highly c 
tivated and literary race, but during the vicis 
tudes of those trying centuries of readjustment 
new conditions, not only did their advanceme 
and production cease entirely, but practically 
their archives, records, and literature were lost. 

Dejah Thoris related many interesting facts a 
legends concerning this lost race of noble a 
kindly people. She said that the city in which 1 
were camping was supposed to have been a cent 
of commerce and culture known as Korad. It h 
been built upon a beautiful, natural harbor, la 
locked by magnificent hills. The little valley 
the west front of the city, she explained, was 
that remained of the harbor, while the p; 
through the hills to the old sea bottom had be 
the channel through which the shipping passed 
to the city’s gates. 

The shores of the ancient seas were dotted wi 

[ n6] 



WITH DEJAH THORIS 


just such cities, and lesser ones, in diminishing num¬ 
bers, were to be found converging toward the 
center of the oceans, as the people had found it 
necessary to follow the receding waters until neces¬ 
sity had forced upon them their ultimate salvation, 
the so-called Martian canals. 

We had been so engrossed in exploration of the 
building and in our conversation that it was late 
in the afternoon before we realized it. We were 
brought back to a realization of our present con¬ 
ditions by a messenger bearing a summons from 
Lorquas Ptomel directing me to appear before 
him forthwith. Bidding Dejah Thoris and Sola 
farewell, and commanding Woola to remain on 
guard, I hastened to the audience chamber, where 
I found Lorquas Ptomel and Tars Tarkas seated 
upon the rostrum. 


T ”7 1 



CHAPTER XIL 

A PRISONER WITH POWER 

A S I entered and saluted, Lorquas Ptomel si 
naled me to advance, and, fixing his grer 
hideous eyes upon me, addressed me thus: 

“ You have been with us a few days, yet durii 
that time you have by your prowess won a hi^ 
position among us. Be that as it may, you are n 
one of us; you owe us no allegiance. 

“Your position is a peculiar one,” he co 
tinued; “you are a prisoner and yet you give cor 
mands which must be obeyed; you are an alic 
and yet you are a Tharkian chieftain; you are 
midget and yet you can kill a mighty warrior wil 
one blow of your fist. And now you are reports 
to have been plotting to escape with anothi 
prisoner of another race; a prisoner who, fro: 
her own admission, half believes you are returns 
from the valley of Dor. Either one of these acc 
sations, if proved, would be sufficient grounds f< 
your execution, but we are a just people and yc 
shall have a trial on our return to Thark, if T 
Hajus so commands. 

[ 11 8 ] 




A PRISONER WITH POWER 


“ But,” he continued, in his fierce guttural tones, 
“if you run off with the red girl it is I who shall 
have to account to Tal Hajus; it is I who shall 
have to face Tars Tarkas, and either demonstrate 
my right to command, or the metal from my dead 
carcass will go to a better man, for such is the 
custom of the Tharks. 

“I have no quarrel with Tars Tarkas; together 
we rule supreme the greatest of the lesser com¬ 
munities among the green men; we do not wish 
to fight between ourselves; and so if you were 
dead, John Carter, I should be glad. Under two 
conditions only, however, may you be killed by 
us without orders from Tal Hajus; in personal 
combat in self-defense, should you attack one of 
us, or were you apprehended in an attempt to 
escape. 

“As a matter of justice I must warn you that 
we only await one of these two excuses for ridding 
ourselves of so great a responsibility. The safe 
delivery of the red girl to Tal Hajus is of the 
greatest importance. Not in a thousand years 
have the Tharks made such a capture; she is the 
granddaughter of the greatest of the red jeddaks, 
who is also our bitterest enemy. I have spoken. 
The red girl told us that we were without the 

[119] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


softer sentiments of humanity, but we are a ju: 
and truthful race. You may go.” 

Turning, I left the audience chamber. So thi 
was the beginning of Sarkoja’s persecution! 
knew that none other could be responsible for thi 
report which had reached the ears of Lorqua 
Ptomel so quickly, and now I recalled those poi 
tions of our conversation which had touched upo 
escape and upon my origin. 

Sarkoja was at this time Tars Tarkas’ oldei 
and most trusted female. As such she was 
mighty power behind the throne, for no warric 
had the confidence of Lorquas Ptomel to such a 
extent as did his ablest lieutenant, Tars Tarka; 

However, instead of putting thoughts of po: 
sible escape from my mind, my audience wit 
Lorquas Ptomel only served to center my ever 
faculty on this subject. Now, more than befor< 
the absolute necessity for escape, in so far as Deja 
Thoris was concerned, was impressed upon m< 
for I was convinced that some horrible fat 
awaited her at the headquarters of Tal Hajus. 

As described by Sola, this monster was th 
exaggerated personification of all the ages c 
cruelty, ferocity, and brutality from which he ha 
descended. Cold, cunning, calculating; he wa 
[ 120 ] 



A PRISONER WITH POWER 


also, in marked contrast to most of his fellows, 
a slave to that brute passion which the waning 
demands for procreation upon their dying planet 
has almost stilled in the Martian breast. 

The thought that the divine Dejah Thoris might 
fall into the clutches of such an abysmal atavism 
started the cold sweat upon me. Far better that 
yve save friendly bullets for ourselves at the last 
moment, as did those brave frontier women of my 
lost land, who took their own lives rather than fall 
into the hands of the Indian braves. 

As I wandered about the plaza lost in my 
gloomy forebodings Tars Tarkas approached me 
on his way from the audience chamber. His 
demeanor toward me was unchanged, and he 
greeted me as though we had not just parted a few 
moments before. 

“Where are your quarters, John Carter?” he 
asked. 

“I have selected none,” I replied. “It seemed 
best that I quartered either by myself or among 
the other warriors, and I was awaiting an oppor¬ 
tunity to ask your advice. As you know,” and I 
smiled, “ I am not yet familiar with all the customs 
of the Tharks.” 

“Come with me,” he directed, and together 
[ 121 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


we moved off across the plaza to a building whic 
I was glad to see adjoined that occupied by Sol 
and her charges. 

“ My quarters are on the first floor of this buil< 
ing,” he said, “and the second floor also is full 
occupied by warriors, but the third floor and th 
floors above are vacant; you may take your choic 
of these. 

“I understand,’’ he continued, “that you hav 
given up your woman to the red prisoner. Wei 
as you have said, your ways are not our wayi 
but you can fight well enough to do about as yo 
please, and so, if you wish to give your woman t 
a captive, it is your own affair; but as a chieftai 
you should have those to serve you, and i 
accordance with our customs you may select an 
or all the females from the retinues of the chiel 
tains whose metal you now wear.” 

I thanked him, but assured him that I could ge 
along very nicely without assistance except in th 
matter of preparing food, and so he promised t 
send women to me for this purpose and also fo 
the care of my arms and the manufacture of m 
ammunition, which he said would be necessary, 
suggested that they might also bring some of th 
sleeping silks and furs which belonged to me a 
[122] 



A PRISONER WITH POWER 


spoils of combat, for the nights were cold and I 
had none of my own. 

He promised to do so, and departed. Left 
*lone, I ascended the winding corridor to the upper 
floors in search of suitable quarters. The beauties 
of the other buildings were repeated in this, and, 
as usual, I was soon lost in a tour of investigation 
and discovery. 

I finally chose a front room on the third floor, 
because this brought me nearer to Dejah Thoris, 
whose apartment was on the second floor of the 
adjoining building, and it flashed upon me that 
I could rig up some means of communication 
whereby she might signal me in case she needed 
either my services or my protection. 

Adjoining my sleeping apartment were batTis, 
dressing rooms, and other sleeping and living 
apartments, in all some ten rooms on this floor. 
The windows of the back rooms overlooked an 
enormous court, which formed the center of the 
square made by the buildings which faced the four 
contiguous streets, and which was now given over 
to the quartering of the various animals belonging 
to the warriors occupying the adjoining buildings. 

While the court was entirely overgrown with 
the yellow, moss-like vegetation which blankets 
[ 123 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


practically the entire surface of Mars, yet nume 
ous fountains, statuary, benches, and pergola-lil 
contraptions bore witness to the beauty which tl 
court must have presented in bygone times, wh< 
graced by the fair-haired, laughing people who 
stern and unalterable cosmic laws had driven n< 
only from their homes, but from all except tl 
vague legends of their descendants. 

One could easily picture the gorgeous folia* 
of the luxuriant Martian vegetation which om 
filled this scene with life and color; the gracef 
figures of the beautiful women, the straight ar 
handsome men; the happy frolicking children — a 
sunlight, happiness and peace. It was difficult 1 
realize that they had gone; down through ag< 
of darkness, cruelty, and ignorance, until the 
hereditary instincts of culture and humanitarianis 
had risen ascendant once more in the final cor 
posite race which now is dominant upon Mars. 

My thoughts were cut short by the advent < 
several young females bearing loads of weapor 
silks, furs, jewels, cooking utensils, and casks < 
food and drink, including considerable loot fro 
the air craft. All this, it seemed, had been tl 
property of the two chieftains I had slain, ai 
now, by the customs of the Tharks, it had becon 
[124] 



A PRISONER WITH POWER 


mine. At my direction they placed the stuff in 
one of the back rooms, and then departed, only 
to return with a second load, which they advised 
me constituted the balance of my goods. On the 
second trip they were accompanied by ten or fifteen 
other women and youths, who, it seemed, formed 
the retinues of the two chieftains. 

They were not their families, nor their wives, 
nor their servants; the relationship was peculiar, 
and so unlike anything known to us that it is most 
difficult to describe. All property among the green 
Martians is owned in common by the community, 
except the personal weapons, ornaments and sleep¬ 
ing silks and furs of the individuals. These alone 
can one claim undisputed right to, nor may he 
accumulate more of these than are required for his 
actual needs. The surplus he holds merely as cus¬ 
todian, and it is passed on to the younger members 
of the community as necessity demands. 

The women and children of a man’s retinue 
may be likened to a military unit for which he is 
responsible in various ways, as in matters of 
mstruction, discipline, sustenance, and the exigen¬ 
ces of their continual roamings and their unending 
strife with other communities and with the red 
Martians. His women are in no sense wives. 

[ 125] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


The green Martians use no word correspondii 
in meaning with this earthly word. Their matii 
is a matter of community interest solely, and 
directed without reference to natural selectio 
The council of chieftains of each communi 
control the matter as surely as the owner of 
Kentucky racing stud directs the scientific bree 
ing of his stock for the improvement of the who] 

In theory it may sound well, as is often the ca 
with theories, but the results of ages of tl 
unnatural practice, coupled with the communi 
interest in the offspring being held paramount 
that of the mother, is shown in the cold, cru 
creatures, and their gloomy, loveless, mirthle 
existence. 

It is true that the green Martians are absolute 
virtuous, both men and women, with the excepti< 
of such degenerates as Tal Hajus; but better f 
a finer balance of human characteristics even 
the expense of a slight and occasional loss 
chastity. 

Finding that I must assume responsibility f 
these creatures, whether I would or not, I ma< 
the best of it and directed them to find quarte 
on the upper floors, leaving the third floor to rr 
One of the girls I charged with the duties of r 
[126] 



A PRISONER WITH POWER 


simple cuisine, and directed the others to talfe up 
the various activities which had formerly com 
stituted their vocations. Thereafter I saw little 
of them, nor did I care to. 


[1273 



CHAPTER XIII 

LOVE-MAKING ON MARS 


F OLLOWING the battle with the air ship 
the community remained within the city f 
several days, abandoning the homeward mar 
until they could feel reasonably assured that tl 
ships would not return; for to be caught on tl 
open plains with a cavalcade of chariots and ch 
dren was far from the desire of even so warlike 
people as the green Martians. 

During our period of inactivity, Tars Tark 
had instructed me in many of the customs and ai 
of war familiar to the Tharks, including lessons 
riding and guiding the great beasts which bore t 
warriors. These creatures, which are known 
thoats, are as dangerous and vicious as th< 
masters, but when once subdued are sufficient 
tractable for the purposes of the green Martiar 
Two of these animals had fallen to me frc 
the warriors whose metal I wore, and in a she 
time I could handle them quite as well as the nati 
warriors. The method was not at all complicate 
[128] 


LOVE-MAKING ON MARS 


If the thoats did not respond with sufficient celerity 
to the telepathic instructions of their riders they 
were dealt a terrific blow between the ears with 
the butt of a pistol, and if they showed fight this 
treatment was continued until the brutes either 
were subdued, or had unseated their riders. 

In the latter case it became a life and death 
struggle between the man and the beast. If the 
former were quick enough with his pistol he might 
live to ride again, though upon some other beast; 
if not, his torn and mangled body was gathered up 
by his women and burned in accordance with Thar- 
kian custom. 

My experience with Woola determined me to 
attempt the experiment of kindness in my treat¬ 
ment of my tho-ats. First I taught them that they 
could not unseat me, and even rapped them sharply 
between the ears to impress upon them my author¬ 
ity and mastery. Then, by degrees, I won their 
confidence in much the same manner as I had 
adopted countless times with my many mundane 
mounts. I was ever a good hand with animals, 
and by inclination, as well as because it brought 
more lasting and satisfactory results, I was always 
kind and humane in my dealings with the lower 
orders. I could take a human life, if necessary, 

[ 129] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


with’ far less compunction than that of a poc 
unreasoning, irresponsible brute. 

In the course of a few days my thoats were tl 
wonder of the entire community. They wou 
follow me like dogs, rubbing their great snou 
against my body in awkward evidence of affectio 
and respond to my every command with an alacri 
and docility which caused the Martian warrio 
to ascribe to me the possession of some earth 
power unknown on Mars. 

“ How have you bewitched them ? ” asked Ta 
Tarkas one afternoon, when he had seen me ri 
my arm far between the great jaws of one < 
my thoats which had wedged a piece of stoi 
between two of his teeth while feeding upon tl 
moss-like vegetation within our court yard. 

“By kindness,” I replied. “You see, Ta 
Tarkas, the softer sentiments have their vain 
even to a warrior. In the height of battle as w< 
as upon the march I know that my thoats w 
obey my every command, and therefore my figl 
ing efficiency is enhanced, and I am a better wa 
rior for the reason that I am a kind master. Yo 
other warriors would find it to the advantage 
themselves as well as of the community to ado 
my methods in this respect. Only a few days sin 

£130] 



LOVE-MAKING ON MARS 


you, yourself, told me that these great brutes, by 
the uncertainty of their tempers, often were the 
means of turning victory into defeat, since, at a 
crucial moment, they might elect to unseat and rend 
their riders.” 

“ Show me how you accomplish these results,” 
was Tars Tarkas’ only rejoinder. 

And so I explained as carefully as I could the 
entire method of training I had adopted with my 
beasts, and later he had me repeat it before Lor- 
quas Ptomel and the assembled warriors. That 
moment marked the beginning of a new existence 
for the poor thoats, and before I left the com¬ 
munity of Lorquas Ptomel I had the satisfaction 
of observing a regiment of as tractable and docile 
mounts as one might care to see. The effect on 
the precision and celerity of the military move¬ 
ments was so remarkable that Lorquas Ptomel 
presented me with a massive anklet of gold from 
his own leg, as a sign of his appreciation of my 
service to the horde. 

On the seventh day following the battle with 
the air craft we again took up the march toward 
Thark, all probability of another attack being 
deemed remote by Lorquas Ptomel. 

During the days just preceding our departure 

[ 131.1 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I had seen but little of Dejah Thoris, as I h 
been kept very busy by Tars Tarkas with my 1 
sons in the art of Martian warfare, as well as 
the training of my thoats. The few times I h 
visited her quarters she had been absent, walki 
upon the streets with Sola, or investigating t 
buildings in the near vicinity of the Plaza. I h 
warned them against venturing far from the pla 
for fear of the great white apes, whose feroci 
I was only too well acquainted with. Howev< 
since Woola accompanied them on all their exci 
sions, and as Sola was well armed, there was co: 
paratively little cause for fear. 

On the evening before our departure I saw the 
approaching along one of the great avenues whi 
lead into the plaza from the east. I advanced 
meet them, and telling Sola that I would take t 
responsibility for Dejah Thoris’ safe keeping, 
directed her to return to her quarters on soi 
trivial errand. I liked and trusted Sola, but f 
some reason I desired^ to be alone with Dej 
Thoris, who represented to me all that I had 1 
behind upon Earth in agreeable and congen 
companionship. There seemed bonds of muti 
interest between us as powerful as though we h 
been bom under the same roof rather than up 

[132] 




LOVE-MAKING ON MARS 


different planets, hurtling through space some 
forty-eight million miles apart. 

That she shared my sentiments in this respect 
I was positive, for on my approach the look of 
pitiful hopelessness left her sweet countenance to 
be replaced by a smile of joyful welcome, as she 
placed her little right hand upon my left shoulder 
in true red Martian salute. 

“ Sarkoja told Sola that you had become a true 
Thark,” she said, “ and that I would now see no 
more of you than of any of the other warriors.” 

“Sarkoja is a liar of the first magnitude,” I 
replied, “notwithstanding the proud claim of the 
Tharks to absolute verity.” 

Dejah Thoris laughed. 

“ I knew that even though you became a member 
of the community you would not cease to be my 
friend; ‘ A warrior may change his metal, but not 
his heart,’ as the saying is upon Barsoom. 

“I (think they have been trying to keep us 
apart,” she continued, “for whenever you have 
been off duty one of the older women of Tars 
Tarkas’ retinue has always arranged to trump up 
some excuse to get Sola and me out of sight. They 
have had me down in the pits below the buildings 
helping them mix their awful radium powder, and 
[ 133 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


make their terrible projectiles. You know tha 
these have to be manufactured by artificial 1-ighl 
as exposure to sunlight always results in an explc 
sion. You have noticed that their bullets explod 
when they strike an object? Well, the opaque 
outer coating is broken by the impact, exposing ; 
glass cylinder, almost solid, in the forward end o 
which is a minute particle of radium powder. Th 
moment the sunlight, even though diffused, strike 
this powder it explodes with a violence whicl 
nothing can withstand. If you ever witness ; 
night battle you will note the absence of thes 
explosions, while the morning following the battl 
will be filled at sunrise with the sharp detonation 
of exploding missiles fired the preceding night 
As a rule, however, non-exploding projectiles ar 
used at night.” 1 

While I was much interested in Dejah Thoris 
explanation of this wonderful adjunct to Martial 
warfare, I was more concerned by the immediat 
problem of their treatment of her. That the; 
were keeping her away from me was not a matte 

a I have used the word radium in describing this powde 
because in the light of recent discoveries on Earth I believe i 
to be a mixture of which radium is the base. In Captain Carter 
manuscript it is mentioned always by the name used in the writte 
language of Helium and is spelled in hieroglyphics which : 
would be difficult and useless to reproduce. 

[ 134] 



LOVE-MAKING ON MARS 


for surprise, but that they should subject her to 
dangerous and arduous labor filled me with rage. 

“Have they ever subjected you to cruelty and 
ignominy, Dejah Thoris?” I asked, feeling the 
hot blood of my fighting ancestors leap in my veins 
as I awaited her reply. 

“Only in little ways, John Carter,” she 
answered. “Nothing that can harm me outside 
my pride. They know that I am the daughter of 
ten thousand jeddaks, that I trace my ancestry 
straight back without a break to the builder of 
the first great waterway, and they, who do not even 
know their own mothers, are jealous of me. At 
heart they hate their horrid fates, and so wreak 
their poor spite on me who stand for everything 
they have not, and for all they most crave and 
never can attain. Let us pity them, my chieftain, 
for even though we die at their hands w T e can 
afford them pity, since we are greater than they 
and they know it.” 

Had I known the significance of those words 
“my chieftain,” as applied by a red Martian 
woman to a man, I should have had the surprise 
of my life, but I did not know at that time, nor 
for many months thereafter. Yes, I still had 
much to learn upon Barsoom. 

[135] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“ I presume it is the better part of wisdom tl 
we bow to our fate with as good grace as p 
sible, Dejah Thoris; but I hope, nevertheless, tl 
I may be present the next time that any Marti; 
green, red, pink, or violet, has the temerity 
even so much as frown on you, my princess.” 

Dejah Thoris caught her breath at my 1; 
words, and gazed upon me with dilated eyes a 
quickening breath, and then, with an odd lit 
laugh, which brought roguish dimples to the a 
ners of her mouth, she shook her head and crie 

“What a child! A great warrior and yet 
stumbling little child.” 

“What have I done now?” I asked, in sc 
perplexity. 

“Some day you shall know, John Carter, if' 
live; but I may not tell you. And I, the daughl 
of Mors Kajak, son of Tardos Mors, have listen 
without anger,” she soliloquized in conclusion. 

Then she broke out again into one of her g; 
happy, laughing moods; joking with me on r 
prowess as a Thark warrior as contrasted wi 
my soft heart and natural kindliness. 

“ I presume that should you accidentally wou 
an enemy you would take him home and nurse h 
back to health,” she laughed. 

[ 136] 



LOVE-MAKING ON MARS 


“That is precisely what we do on Earth,” I 
answered. “At least among civilized men.” 

This made her laugh again. She could not 
understand it, for, with all her tenderness and 
womanly sweetness, she was still a Martian, and 
to a Martian the only good enemy is a dead enemy; 
for every dead foeman means so much more to 
divide between those who live. 

I was very curious to know what I had said or 
done to cause her so much perturbation a moment 
before and so I continued to importune her to 
enlighten me. 

“No,” she exclaimed, “it is enough that you 
have said it and that I have listened. And when 
you learn, John Carter, and if I be dead, as likely 
enough I shall be ere the further moon has circled 
Barsoom another twelve times, remember that I 
listened and that I — smiled.” 

It was all Greek to me, but the more I begged 
her to explain the more positive became her 
denials of my request, and, so, in very hopeless¬ 
ness, I desisted. 

Day had now given away to night and as we 
wandered along the great avenue lighted by the 
two moons of Barsoom, and with Earth looking 
down upon us out of her luminous green eye, it 

[ 137] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


seemed that we were alone in the universe, and i 
at least, was content that it should be so. 

The chill of the Martian night was upon ui 
and removing my silks I threw them across th 
shoulders of Dejah Thoris. As my arm reste 
for an instant upon her I felt a thrill pass throug .1 
every fiber of my being such as contact with n 
other mortal had even produced; and it seemed t 
me that she had leaned slightly toward me, bu 
of that I was not sure. Only I knew that as m 
arm rested there across her shoulders longer tha: 
the act of adjusting the silk required she did no 
draw away, nor did she speak. And so, in silence 
we walked the surface of a dying world, but ii 
the breast of one of us at least had been bom tha 
* which is ever oldest, yet ever new. 

I loved Dejah Thoris. The touch of my am 
upon her naked shoulder had spoken to me it 
words I could not mistake, and I knew that I ha< 
loved her since the first moment that my eyes ha( 
met hers that first time in the plaza of the deac 
city of Korad. 


[138] 





I SOUGHT OUT DEJAH THORIS IN THE THRONG OF DEPARTING 

CHARIOTS. Page 142 



















CHAPTER XIV 

A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


M Y first impulse was to tell her of my love, 
and then I thought of the helplessness of 
her position wherein I alone could lighten the 
burdens of her captivity, and protect her in my 
poor way against the thousands of hereditary ene¬ 
mies she must face upon our arrival at Thark. I 
could not chance causing her additional pain or 
sorrow by declaring a love which, in all probability 
she did not return. Should I be so indiscreet, her 
position would be even more unbearable than now, 
and the thought that she might feel that I was 
taking advantage of her helplessness, to influence 
her decision was the final argument which sealed 
my lips. 

“Why are you so quiet, Dejah Thoris?” I 
asked. u Possibly you would rather return to Sola 
and your quarters.” 

“No,” she murmured, “I am happy here. I 
do not know why it is that I should always be 
happy and contented when you, John Carter, a 

[139] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


stranger, are with me; yet at such times it seems 
that I am safe and that, with you, I shall soorj 
return to my father’s court and feel his strong 
arms about me and my mother’s tears and kisses 
on my cheek.” 

“Do people kiss, then, upon Barsoom?” 1 
asked, when she had explained the word she used, 
in answer to my inquiry as to its meaning. 

“Parents, brothers, and sisters, yes; and,” she 
added in a low, thoughtful tone, “lovers.” 

“And you, Dejah Thoris, have parents and 
brothers and sisters?” 

“Yes.” 

“And a — lover?” 

She was silent, nor could I venture to repeat 
the question. 

“The man of Barsoom,” she finally ventured, 
“ does not ask personal questions of women, except 
his mother, and the woman he has fought for and 
won.” 

“But I have fought—” I started, and then I 
wished my tongue had been cut from my mouth; 
for she turned even as I caught myself and ceased, 
and drawing my silks from her shoulder she held 
them out to me, and without a word, and with head 
held high, she moved with the carriage of the 

[140] 




A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


queen she was toward the plaza and the doorway 
of her quarters. 

I did not attempt to follow her, other than to 
see that she reached the building in safety, but, 
directing Woola to accompany her, I turned dis¬ 
consolately and entered my own house. I sat for 
hours cross-legged, and cross-tempered, upon my 
silks meditating upon the queer freaks chance plays 
upon us poor devils of mortals. 

So this was love! I had escaped it for all the 
years I had roamed the five continents and their 
encircling seas; in spite of beautfful women and 
urging opportunity; in spite of a half-desire for 
love and a constant search for my ideal, it had 
remained for me to fall furiously and hopelessly 
in love with a creature from another world, of a 
species similar possibly, yet not identical with mine. 
A woman who was hatched from an egg, and 
whose span of life might cover a thousand years; 
whose people had strange customs and ideas; a 
ivoman whose hopes, whose pleasures, whose 
standards of virtue and of right and wrong might 
pary as greatly from mine as did those of the 
^reen Martians. 

Yes, I was a fool, but I was in love, and though 
[ was suffering the greatest misery I had ever 

[ 141 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 

.- - ■ ■ ■ 

known I would not have had it otherwise for a 
the riches of Barsoom. Such is love, and sue 
are lovers wherever love is known. 

To me, Dejah Thoris was all that was perfec: 
all that was virtuous and beautiful and nob: 
and good. I believed that from the bottom c 
my heart, from the depth of my soul on that nigl 
in Korad as I sat cross-legged upon my silks whii 
the nearer moon of Barsoom raced through tli 
western sky toward the horizon, and lighted u 
the gold and marble, and jeweled mosaics of m 
world-old chamber, and I believe it today as I s 
at my desk in the little study overlooking the Hue 
son. Twenty years have intervened; for ten c 
them I lived and fought for Dejah Thoris an 
her people, and for ten I have lived upon her men 
ory. 

The morning of our departure for Thar 
dawned clear and hot, as do all Martian morr 
ings except for the six weeks when the snow melt 
at the poles. 

I sought out Dejah Thoris in the throng o 
departing chariots, but she turned her shoulder t 
me, and I could see the red blood mount to he 
cheek. With the foolish inconsistency of love 
held my peace when I might have plead ignoranc 

[ 142] 





A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


>f the nature of my offense, or at least the gravity 
ff it, and so have effected, at worst, a half con- 
iliatioru 

My duty dictated that I must see that she was 
:omfortable, and so I glanced into her chariot and 
earranged her silks and furs. In doing so I noted 
vith horror that she was heavily chained by one 
inkle to the side of the vehicle. 

“What does this mean?” I cried, turning to 
iola. 

“Sarkoja thought it best,” she answered, her 
: ace betokening her disapproval of the procedure. 

Examining the manacles I saw that they fastened 
vith a massive spring lock. 

“Where is the key, Sola? Let me have it.” 

“Sarkoja wears it, John Carter,” she answered. 

I turned without further word and sought out 
Pars Tarkas, to whom I vehemently objected to 
he unnecessary humiliations and cruelties, as they 
eemed to my lover’s eyes, that were being heaped 
ipon Dejah Thoris. 

“John Carter,” he answered, “if ever you and 
)ejah Thoris escape the Tharks it will be upon 
bis journey. We know that you will not go with- 
ut her. You have shown yourself a mighty 
ghter, and we do not wish to manacle you, so we 

[ 143] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


hold you both in the easiest way that will } 
ensure security. I have spoken.’’ 

I saw the strength of his reasoning at a flaj 
and knew that it were futile to appeal from 1 
decision, but I asked that the key be taken frc 
Sarkoja and that she be directed to leave t 
prisoner alone in future. 

“This much, Tars Tarkas, you may do for r 
in return for the friendship that, I must confe 
I feel for you.” 

“Friendship?” he replied. “There is no su 
thing, John Carter; but have your will. I sh 
direct that Sarkoja cease to annoy the girl, anc 
myself will take the custody of the key.” 

“Unless you wish me to assume the respc 
sibility,” I said, smiling. 

He looked at me long and earnestly before 
spoke. 

“Were you to give me your word that neitb 
you nor Dejah Thoris would attempt to esca 
until after we have safely reached the court 
Tal Hajus you might have the key and throw t 
chains into the river Iss.” 

“It were better that you held the key, Ti 
Tarkas,” I replied. 

He smiled, and said no more, but that nig 
[ 144 ] 




A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


as we were making camp I saw him unfasten 
Dejah Thoris’ fetters himself. 

With all his cruel ferocity and coldness there 
was an undercurrent of something in Tars Tarkas 
which he seemed ever battling to subdue. Could 
it be a vestige of some human instinct come back 
from an ancient forbear to haunt him with the 
horror of his people’s ways! 

As I was approaching Dejah Thoris’ chariot I 
passed Sarkoja, and the black, venomous look she 
accorded me was the sweetest balm I had felt for 
many hours. Lord, how she hated me! It bristled 
from her so palpably that one might almost have 
cut it with a sword. 

A few moments later I saw her deep in conver¬ 
sation with a warrior named Zad; a big, hulking, 
powerful brute, but one who had never made a 
kill among his own chieftains, and so was still 
an o mad, or man with one name; he could win 
a second name only with the metal of some chief¬ 
tain. It was this custom which entitled me to the 
names of either of the chieftains I had killed; in 
fact, some of the warriors addressed me as Dotar 
Sojat, a combination of the surnames of the two 
warrior chieftains whose metal I had taken, or, 
in other words, whom I had slain in fair fight 

[145] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


■As Sarkoja talked with Zad he cast occasion; 
glances in my direction, while she seemed to t 
urging him very strongly to some action. I pai 
little attention to it at the time, but the next da 
I had good reason to recall the circumstances, an 
at the same time gain a slight insight into tf 
depths of Sarkoja’s hatred and the lengths t 
which she was capable of going to wreak her horri 
vengeance on me. 

Dejah Thoris would have none of me agai 
on this evening, and though I spoke her name sf 
neither replied, nor conceded by so much as tf 
flutter of an eyelid that she realized my existenc 
In my extremity I did what most other lovers woul 
have done; I sought word from her through an int 
mate. In this instance it was Sola whom I inte 
cepted in another part of camp. 

“What is the matter with Dejah Thoris?” 
blurted out at her. “Why will she not spea 
to me?” 

Sola seemed puzzled herself, as though sue 
strange actions on the part of two humans wei 
quite beyond her, as indeed they were, poor chik 

“She says you have angered her, and that 
all she will say, except that she is the daughter c 
a jed and the granddaughter of a jeddak and sh 
[146] 



A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


has been humiliated by a creature who could not 
polish the teeth of her grandmother’s sorak.” 

I pondered over this report for some time, finally 
asking, 

“ What might a sorak be, Sola ? ” 

“A little animal about as big as my hand, which 
the red Martian women keep to play with,” ex¬ 
plained Sola. 

Not fit to polish the teeth of her grandmother’s 
cat! I must rank pretty low in the consideration 
of Dejah Thoris, I thought; but I could not help 
laughing at the strange figure of speech, so homely 
and in this respect so earthly. It made me hoipe- 
sick, for it sounded very much like “not fit to 
polish her shoes.” And then commenced a train 
of thought quite new to me. I began to wonder 
what my people at home were doing. I had not 
seen them for years. There was a family of Car¬ 
ters in Virginia who claimed close relationship 
with me; I was supposed to be a great uncle, or 
something of the kind equally foolish. I could 
pass anywhere for twenty-five to thirty years of 
age, and to be a great uncle always seemed the 
height of incongruity, for my thoughts and feel¬ 
ings were those of a boy. There were two little 
kiddies in the Carter family whom I had loved and 

C147 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


who had thought there was no one on Earth lil 
Uncle Jack; I could see them just as plainly, as 
stood there under the moonlit skies of Barsoon 
and I longed for them as I had never longed f( 
any mortals before. By nature a wanderer, I ha 
never known the true meaning of the word horn 
but the great hall of the Carters had always stoc 
for all that the word did mean to me, and no 
my heart turned toward it from the cold an 
unfriendly peoples I had been thrown amongs 
For did not even Dejah Thoris despise me ! 
was a low creature, so low in fact that I was n< 
even fit to polish the teeth of her grandmother 
cat; and then my saving sense of humor came t 
my rescue, and laughing I turned into my sill 
and furs and slept upon the moon-haunted grour 
the sleep of a tired and healthy fighting man. 

We broke camp the next day at an early hoi 
and marched with only a single halt until ju 
before dark. Two incidents broke the tediou 
ness of the march. About noon we espied far i 
our right what was evidently an incubator, ar 
Lorquas Ptomel directed Tars Tarkas to invesi 
gate it. The latter took a dozen warriors, inclu 
ing myself, and we raced across the velvety ca 
peting of moss to the little enclosure. 

[148] 



A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


It was indeed an incubator, but the eggs were 
very small in comparison with those I had seen 
hatching in ours at the time of my arrival on Mars. 

Tars Tarkas dismounted and examined the 
inclosure minutely, finally announcing that it 
belonged to the green men of Warhoon and that 
the cement was scarcely dry where it had been 
walled up. 

“They cannot be a day’s march ahead of us,” 
he exclaimed, the light of battle leaping to his 
fierce face. 

The work at the incubator was short indeed. 
The warriors tore open the entrance and a couple 
of them, crawling in, soon demolished all the eggs 
with their short-swords. Then remounting we 
dashed back to join the cavalcade. During the 
ride I took occasion to ask Tars Tarkas if these 
Warhoons whose eggs we had destroyed were a 
smaller people than his Tharks. 

“ I noticed that their eggs were so much smaller 
than those I saw hatching in your incubator,” I 
added. 

He explained that the eggs had just been placed 
there; but, like all green Martian eggs, they would 
grow during the five-year period of incubation 
until they obtained the size of those I had seen 

[ 149] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


hatching on the day of my arrival on Barsoon 
This was indeed an interesting piece of inform; 
tion, for it had always seemed remarkable to m 
that the green Martian women, large as they wen 
could bring forth such enormous eggs as I ha 
seen the four-foot infants emerging from. As 
matter of fact, the new-laid egg is but little large 
than an ordinary goose egg, and as it does nc 
commence to grow until subjected to the light c 
the sun the chieftains have little difficulty in tran; 
porting several hundreds of them at one time fror 
the storage vaults to the incubators. 

Shortly after the incident of the Warhoon egg 
we halted to rest the animals, and it was durin 
this halt that the second of the day’s interestin 
episodes occurred. I was engaged in changin 
my riding cloths from one of my thoats to th 
other, for I divided the day’s work between then 
when Zad approached me, and without a wor 
struck my animal a terrific blow with his lon$ 
sword. 

I did not need a manual of green Martian et 
quette to know what reply to make, for, in fac 
I was so wild with anger that I could scarce! 
refrain from drawing my pistol and shooting hii 
down for the brute he was; but he stood waitin 
[ 150 ] 




A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


with drawn long-sword, and my only choice was 
to draw my own and meet him in fair fight with 
his choice of weapons or a lesser one. 

This latter alternative is always permissible, 
therefore I could have used my short-sword, my 
dagger, my hatchet, or my fists had I wished, and 
been entirely within my rights, but I could not use 
fire arms or a ipear while he held only his long- 
sword. 

I chose the same weapon he had drawn because 
I knew he prided himself upon his ability with it, 
and I wished, if I worsted him at all, to do it with 
his own weapon. The fight that followed was a 
long one and delayed the resumption of the march 
for an hour. The entire community surrounded 
us, leaving a clear space about one hundred feet 
in diameter for our battle. 

Zad first attempted to rush me down as a bull 
might a wolf, but I was much too quick for him, 
and each time I side-stepped his rushes he would 
go lunging past me, only to receive a nick from 
my sword upon his arm or back. He was soon 
streaming blood from a half dozen minor wounds, 
but I could not obtain an opening to deliver an 
effective thrust. Then he changed his tactics, and 
fighting warily and with extreme dexterity, he 

[150 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


tried to do by science what he was unable to d< 
by brute strength. I must admit that he was 
magnificent swordsman, and had it not been fo 
my greater endurance and the remarkable agilit 
the lesser gravitation of Mars lent me I might no 
have been able to put up the creditable fight I d l 
against him. 

We circled for some time without doing muc. 
damage on either side; the long, straight, needk 
like swords flashing in the sunlight, and ringing ou 
upon the stillness as they crashed together wit 
each effective parry. Finally Zad, realizing tha 
he was tiring more than I, evidently decided t 
close in and end the battle in a final blaze of glor 
for himself; just as he rushed me a blinding flasl 
of light struck full in my eyes, so that I coul 
not see his approach and could only leap blindl 
to one side in an effort to escape the mighty blad 
that it seemed I could already feel in my vitah 
I was only partially successful, as a sharp pain i 
my left shoulder attested, but in the sweep of m 
glance as I sought to again locate my adversary 
a sight met my astonished gaze which paid me we 
for the wound the temporary blindness had cause 
me. There, upon Dejah Thoris* chariot stoo 
three figures, for the purpose evidently of wi 
[ IJ2] 




A DUEL TO THE DEATH 


nessing the encounter above the heads of the 
intervening Tharks. There were Dejah Thoris, 
Sola, and Sarkoja, and as my fleeting glance swept 
over them a little tableau was presented which 
will stand graven in my memory to the day of my 
death. 

As I looked, Dejah Thoris turned upon Sarkoja 
with the fury of a young tigress and struck some¬ 
thing from her upraised hand; something which 
flashed in the sunlight as it spun to the 
ground. Then I knew what had blinded me 
at that crucial moment of the fight, and how 
Sarkoja had found a way to kill me with¬ 
out herself delivering the final thrust. Another 
thing I saw, too, which almost lost my life for 
me then and there, for it took my mind for the 
fraction of an instant entirely from my antagonist; 
for, as Dejah Thoris struck the tiny mirror from 
her hand, Sarkoja, her face livid with hatred and 
baffled rage, whipped out her dagger and aimed a 
terrific blow at Dejah Thoris; and then Sola, our 
dear and faithful Sola, sprang between them; the 
last I saw was the great knife descending upon 
her shielding breast. 

My enemy had recovered from his thrust and 
was making it extremely interesting for me, so I 

[*53] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


reluctantly gave my attention to the work in han< 
but my mind was not upon the battle. 

We rushed each other furiously time after tirn 
I ’til suddenly, feeling the sharp point of his swor 
at my breast in a thrust I could neither parry nc 
escape, I threw myself upon him with outstretche 
sword and with all the weight of my body, dete 
mined that I would not die alone if I could pr< 
vent it. I felt the steel tear into my chest, a 
went black before me, my head whirled in di#>£ 
ness, and I felt my knees giving beneath me. 


1 154 1 



CHAPTER XV 

SOLA TELLS ME IIER STORY 

W HEN consciousness returned, and, as I 
soon learned, I was down but a moment, I 
i sprang quickly to my feet searching for my sword, 
and there I found it, buried to the hilt in the green 
breast of Zad, who lay stone dead upon the ochre 
moss of the ancient sea bottom. As I regained 
my full senses I found his weapon piercing my 
left breast, but only through the flesh and muscles 
which cover my ribs, entering near the center of 
my chest and coming out below the shoulder. As 
I had lunged I had turned so that his sword merely 
passed beneath the muscles, inflicting a painful 
but not dangerous wound. 

Removiitg the blade from my body I also 
regained my own, and turning my back upon his 
ugly carcass, I moved, sick, sore, and disgusted, 
toward the chariots which bore my retinue and my 
belongings. A murmur of Martian applause 
greeted me, but I cared not for it. 

Bleeding and weak I reached my women, who, 

[155] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


accustomed to such happenings, dressed 
wounds, applying the wonderful healing < 
remedial agents which make only the most inst 
taneous of death blows fatal. Give a Mart 
woman a chance and death must take a back s( 
They soon had me patched up so that, except 
weakness from loss of blood and a little sc 
ness around the wound, I suffered no great < 
tress from this thrust which, under earthly tre 
ment, undoubtedly would have put me flat on 
back for days. 

As soon as they were through with 
I hastened to the chariot of Dejah Thoris, wh 
I found my poor Sola with her chest swathed 
bandages, but apparently little the worse for ] 
encounter with Sarkoja, whose dagger it seen 
had struck the edge of one of Sola’s metal bre 
ornaments and, thus deflected, had inflicted bu 
slight flesh wound. 

As I approached I found Dejah Thoris ly 
prone upon her silks and furs, her lithe fo 
wracked with sobs. She did not notice my pi 
ence, nor did she hear me speaking with Sola, v 
was standing a short distance from the vehicle. 

“Is she injured?” I asked of Sola, indicat 
Dejah Thoris by an inclination of my head. 
[ij6] 



SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 


“ No,” she answered, “ she thinks that you are 
dead.” 

“And that her grandmother’s cat may now 
have no one to polish its teeth?” I queried, smih 
ing. 

“I think you wrong her, John Carter,” said 
Sola. “I do not understand either her ways or 
yours, but I am sure the granddaughter of ten thou¬ 
sand jeddaks would never grieve like this over the 
death of one she considered beneath her, or indeed 
over any who held but the highest claim upon her 
affections. They are a proud race, but they are 
just, as are all Barsoomians, and you must have 
hurt or wronged her grievously that she will not 
admit your existence living, though she mourns 
you dead. 

“Tears are a strange sight upon Barsoom,” 
she continued, “and so it is difficult for me to 
interpret them. I have seen but two people weep 
in all my life, other than Dejah Thoris; one wept 
from sorrow, the other from baffled rage. The 
first was my mother, years ago before they killed 
her; the other was Sarkoja, when they dragged 
her from me today.” 

“Your mother!” I exclaimed, “but, Sola, you 
:ould not have known your mother, child.” 

[ 157] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“But I did. And my father also,” she ad< 
“If you would like to hear the strange and 
Barsoomian story come to the chariot toni 
John Carter, and I will tell you that of whic 
have never spoken in all my life before. 'And i 
the signal has been given to resume the ma 
you must go.” 

“ I will come tonight, Sola,” I promised. 4 
sure to tell Dejah Thoris I am alive and well, 
shall not force myself upon her, and be sure t 
you do not let her know I saw her tears. If 
would speak with me I but await her comman 

Sola mounted the chariot, which was swing 
into its place in line, and I hastened to my wail 
thoat and galloped to my station beside Tars 1 
kas at the rear of the column. 

We made a most imposing and awe-inspir 
spectacle as we strung out across the yellow la 
scape; the two hundred and fifty ornate ; 
brightly colored chariots, preceded by an adva 
guard of some two hundred mounted warriors ; 
chieftains riding five'abreast and one hund 
yards apart, and followed by a like number in 
same formation, with a score or more of flank 
on either side; the fifty extra mastodons, or he; 
draught animals, known as zitidars, and the 1 
[ 158 ] 




SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 


)F six hundred extra thoats of the warriors running 
oose within the hollow square formed by the sur- 
ounding warriors. The gleaming metal and 
ewels of the gorgeous ornaments of the men and 
vomen, duplicated in the trappings of the zitidars 
tnd thoats, and interspersed with the flashing 
olors of magnificent silks and furs and feathers, 
*nt a barbaric splendor to the caravan which would 
lave turned an East Indian potentate green with 
:nvy. 

The enormous broad tires of the chariots and 
he padded feet of the animals brought forth no 
ound from the moss-covered sea bottom; and so 
ve moved in utter silence, like some huge phan- 
asmagoria, except when the stillness was broken 
>y the guttural growling of a goaded zitidar, or 
he squealing of fighting thoats. The green Mar¬ 
ians converse but little, and then usually in 
nonosyllables, low and like the faint rumbling of 
iistant thunder. 

We traversed a trackless waste of moss which, 
ending to the pressure of broad tire or padded 
oot, rose up again behind us, leaving no sign 
hat we had passed. We might indeed have been 
he wraiths of the departed dead upon the dead 
ea of that dying planet for all the sound or sigQ 

[ 159] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


we made in passing. It was the first march c 
large body of men and animals I had ever 1 
nessed which raised no dust and left no spoor; 
there is no dust upon Mars except in the cultiva 
districts during the winter months, and even t 
the absence of high winds renders it almost 
noticeable. 

We camped that night at the foot of the h 
we had been approaching for two days and wf 
marked the southern boundary of this partici 
sea. Our animals had been two days with 
drink, nor had they had water for nearly 1 
months, not since shortly after leaving Tha 
but, as Tars Tarkas explained to me, they reqi 
but little and can live almost indefinitely upon 
moss which covers Barsoom, and which, he t 
me, holds in its tiny stems sufficient moisture 
meet the limited demands of the animals. 

After partaking of my evening meal of chei 
like food and vegetable milk I sought out S< 
whom I found working by the light of a tc 
upon some of Tars Tarkas’ trappings. She loo 
up at my approach, her face lighting with pleas 
and with welcome. 

“ I am glad you came,” she said; “ Dejah Th 
sleeps and I am lonely. Mine own people do 
[160] 



SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 


are for me, John Carter; I am too unlike them, 
t is a sad fate, since I must live my life amongst 
lem, and I often wish that I were a true green 
dartian woman, without love and without hope; 
ut I have known love and so I am lost. 

“I promised to tell you my story, or rather 
le story of my parents. From what I have learned 
f you and the ways of your people I am sure 
lat the tale will not seem strange to you, but 
mong green Martians it has no parallel within 
le memory of the oldest living Thark, nor do our 
igends hold many similar tales. 

“ My mother was rather small, in fact too small 
d be allowed the responsibilities of maternity, as 
ur chieftains breed principally for size. She was 
Iso less cold and cruel than most green Martian 
r omen, and caring little for their society, she 
ften roamed the deserted avenues of Thark alone, 
r went and sat among the wild flowers that deck 
le near-by hills, thinking thoughts and wishing 
ishes which I believe I alone among Tharkian 
omen today may understand, for am I not the 
lild of my mother? 

“And there among the hills she met a young 
arrior, whose duty it was to guard the feeding 
itidars and thoats and see that they roamed not 

[ 161 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


beyond the hills. They spoke at first only of si 
things as interest a community of Tharks, 1 
gradually, as they came to meet more often, ai 
as was now quite evident to both, no longer 
chance, they talked about themselves, their lik 
their ambitions and their hopes. She trusted h 
and told him of the awful repugnance she felt i 
the cruelties of their kind, for the hideous, kr 
less lives they must ever lead, and then she wait 
for the storm of denunciation to break from ] 
cold, hard lips; but instead he took her in his ar 
and kissed her. 

“They kept their love a secret for six lo 
years. She, my mother, was of the retinue of t 
great Tal Haj[us, while her lover was a simple w: 
rior, wearing only his own metal. Had th 
defection from the traditions of the Tharks be 
discovered both would have paid the penalty 
the great arena before Tal Hajus and t 
assembled hordes. 

“The egg from which I came was hide 
beneath a great glass vessel upon the highest a 
most inaccessible of the partially ruined towers 
ancient Thark. Once each year my mother visi 
it for the five long years it lay there in the proc 
of incubation. She dared not come oftener, : 

[162] 



SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 

p- — . --- 

i the mighty guilt of her conscience :»he feared 
hat her every move was watched. During this 
•eriod my father gained great distinction as a 
Varrior and had taken the metal from several 
hieftains. His love for my mother had never 
diminished, and his one ambition in life was to 
each a point where he might wrest the metal from 
Tal Hajus himself, and thus, as ruler of the 
fharks, be free to claim her as his own, as well 
is, by the might of his power, protect the child 
vhich otherwise would be quickly dispatched 
hould the truth become known. 

“It was a wild dream, that of wresting the 
netal from Tal Hajus in five short years, but his 
idvance was rapid, and he soon stood high in the 
ouncils of Thark. But one day the chance was 
ost forever, in so far as it could come in time to 
lave his loved ones, for he was ordered away upon 
i long expedition to the ice-clad south, to make 
var upon the natives there and despoil them of 
heir furs, for such is the manner of the green 
larsoomian; he does not labor for what he can 
vrest in battle from others. 

“He was gone for four years, and when he 
*eturned all had been over for three; for about a 
'ear after his departure, and shortly before the 

[163] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


time for the return of an expedition which Y 
gone forth to fetch the fruits of a community in 
bator, the egg had hatched. Thereafter my motl 
continued to keep me in the old tower, visiting 
nightly and lavishing upon me the love the cc 
munity life would have robbed us both of. 5 
hoped, upon the return of the expedition from i 
incubator, to mix me with the other young assigr 
to the quarters of Tal Hajus, and thus escape 1 
fate which would surely follow discovery of 1 
sin against the ancient traditions of the green m 

“ She taught me rapidly the language and c 
toms of my kind, and one night she told me 1 
story I have told to you up to this point, impre 
ing upon me the necessity for absolute secrecy a 
the great caution I must exercise after she b 
placed me with the other young Tharks to peri 
no one to guess that I was further advanced 
education than they, nor by any sign to divu 
in the presence of others my affection for her, 
my knowledge of my parentage; and then drawi 
me close to her she whispered in my ear the na 
of my father. 

“And then a light flashed out upon the da 
ness of the tower chamber, and there stood S 
koja, her gleaming, baleful eyes fixed in a frer 
[ 164] 



SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 


of loathing and contempt upon my mother. The 
torrent of hatred and abuse she poured out upon 
her turned my young heart cold in terror. That 
she had heard the entire story was apparent, and 
that she had suspected something wrong from my 
mother’s long nightly absences from her quarters 
accounted for her presence there on that fateful 
night. 

“One thing she had not heard, nor did she 
know, the whispered name of my father. This 
was apparent from her repeated demands upon 
my mother to disclose the name of her partner in 
sin, but no amount of abuse or threats could wring 
this from her, and to save me from needless tor¬ 
ture she lied, for she told Sarkoja that she alone 
knew nor would she even tell her child. 

“With final imprecations, Sarkoja hastened 
away to Tal Hajus to report her discovery, and 
while she was gone my mother, wrapping me in 
the silks and furs of her night coverings, so that l 4 
was scarcely noticeable, descended to the streets* 
and ran wildly away toward the outskirts of the , 
city, in the direction which led to the far south, 
out toward the man whose protection she might 
not claim, but on whose face she wished to look 
once more before she died. 

[165] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“As we neared the city’s southern extremity 
sound came to us from across the mossy flat, frc 
the direction of the only pass through the hi 
which led to the gates, the pass by which carava 
from either north or south or east or west woe 
enter the city. The sounds we heard were t 
squealing of thoats and the grumbling of zitida 
with the occasional clank of arms which announc 
the approach of a body of warriors. The thoug 
uppermost in her mind was that it was my fath 
returned from his expedition, but the cunning 
the Thark held her from headlong and precipita 
flight to greet him. 

“ Retreating into the shadows of a doorway s‘ 
awaited the coming of the cavalcade which short 
entered the avenue, breaking its formation ai 
thronging the thoroughfare from wall to wa 
As the head of the procession passed us the less 
moon swung clear of the overhanging roofs ai 
lit up the scene with all the brilliancy of her wo 
drous light. My mother shrank further ba 
into the friendly shadows, and from her hidii 
place saw that the expedition was not that of n 
father, but the returning caravan bearing the youi 
Tharks. Instantly her plan was formed, and 
a great chariot swung close to our hiding pla 
[ 166 ] 



SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 


he slipped stealthily in upon the trailing tail board, 
touching low in the shadow of the high side, 
straining me to her bosom in a frenzy of love. 

“ She knew, what I did not, that never again 
after that night would she hold me to her breast, 
lor was it likely we would ever look upon each 
other’s face again. In the confusion of the plaza 
she mixed me with the other children, whose guar¬ 
dians during the journey were now free to relin¬ 
quish their responsibility. We were herded 
together into a great room, fed by women who 
fiad not accompanied the expedition, and the next 
day we were parceled out among the retinues of 
the chieftains. 

“ I never saw my mother after that night. She 
was imprisoned by Tal Hajus, and every effort, 
including the most horrible and shameful torture, 
was brought to bear upon her to wring from her 
lips the name of my father; but she remained 
steadfast and loyal, dying at last amidst the laugh¬ 
ter of Tal Hajus and his chieftains during some 
awful torture she was undergoing. 

“ I learned afterwards that she told them that 
she had killed me to save me from a like fate at 
their hands, and that she had thrown my body to 
;he white apes. Sarkoja alone disbelieved her, and 

[167] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I feel to this day that she suspects my true origi 
but does not dare expose me, at the present, 
all events, because she also guesses, I am sui 
the identity of my father. 

“When he returned from his expedition ai 
learned the story of my mother’s fate I was pr< 
ent as Tal Hajus told him; but never by the quiv 
of a muscle did he betray the slightest emotio 
only he did not laugh as Tal Hajus gleeful 
described her death struggles. From that mome 
on he was the crudest of the cruel, and I a 
awaiting the day when he shall win the goal 
his ambition, and feel the carcass of Tal Haj 
beneath his foot, for I am as sure that he b 
waits the opportunity to wreak a terrible ve 
geance, and that his great love is as strong in 1: 
breast as when it first transfigured him near 
forty years ago, as I am that we sit here upon tl 
edge of a world-old ocean while sensible peop 
sleep, John Carter.” 

“And your father, Sola, is he with us now: 
I asked. 

“Yes,” she replied, “but he does not know r 
for what I am, nor does he know who betray* 
my mother to Tal Hajus. I alone know my fathei 
name, and only I and Tal Hajus and Sarkoja knc 
[ 168] 



SOLA TELLS ME HER STORY 


ihat it was she who carried the tale that brought 
R leath and torture upon her he loved.” 
s We sat silent for a few moments, she wrapped 
n the gloomy thoughts of her terrible past, and I 
; n pity for the poor creatures whom the heartless, 
senseless customs of their race had doomed to 
oveless lives of cruelty and of hate. Presently 
he spoke. 

i “John Carter, if ever a real man walked the 
old, dead bosom of Barsoom you are one. I know 
hat I can trust you, and because the knowledge 
nay some day help you or him or Dejah Thoris 
>r myself, I am going to tell you the name of my 
ather, nor place any restrictions or conditions upon 
, T our tongue. When the time comes, speak the 
:ruth if it seems best to you. I trust you because 
[ know that you are not cursed with the terrible 
:rait of absolute and unswerving truthfulness, 
diat you could lie like one of your own Virginia 
gentlemen if a lie would save others from sorrow 
Dr suffering. My father’s name is Tars Tarkas.” 


c 169] 



CHAPTER XVI 

WE PLAN ESCAPE 

HE remainder of our journey to Thark ws 



JL uneventful. We were twenty days upon th 
road, crossing two. sea bottoms and passin 
through or around a number of ruined eitie 
mostly smaller than Korad. Twice we crosse 
the famous Martian waterways, or canals, s< 
called by our earthly astronomers. When v 
approached these points a warrior would be sei 
far ahead with a powerful field glass, and if n 
great body of red Martian troops was in sigl 
we would advance as close as possible withoi 
chance of being seen and then camp until dar] 
when we would slowly approach the cultivate 
tract, and, locating one of the numerous, broa 
highways which cross these areas at regular inte 
vals, creep silently and stealthily across to the ari 
lands upon the other side. It required five houi 
to make one of these crossings without a sing 
halt, and the other consumed the entire night, s 
that we were just leaving the confines of tl 
high-walled fields when the sun broke out upon u 


[170] 


WE PLAN ESCAPE 


Crossing in the darkness, as we did, I was unable 
to see but little, except as the nearer moon, in her 
w$d and ceaseless hurtling through the Barsoomian 
heavens, lit up little patches of the landscape from 
time to time, disclosing walled fields and low, 
rambling buildings, presenting much the appear¬ 
ance of earthly farms. There were many trees, 
methodically arranged, and some of them were 
of enormous height; there were animals in some 
of the enclosures, and they announced their pres¬ 
ence by terrified squealings and snortings as they 
scented our queer, wild beasts and wilder human 
beings. 

Only once did I perceive a human being, and 
that was at the intersection of our crossroad with 
the wide, white turnpike which cuts each cultivated 
district longitudinally at its exact center. The 
fellow must have been sleeping beside the road, 
for, as I came abreast of him, he raised upon one 
elbow and after a single glance at the approach¬ 
ing caravan leaped shrieking to his feet and fled 
madly dovn the road, scaling a near-by wall with 
the agility of a scared cat. The Tharks paid him 
not the slightest attention; they were not out upon 
the warpath, and the only sign that I had that they 
had seen him was a quickening of the pace of the 

[ 171 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


caravan as we hastened toward the bordering des 
ert which marked our entrance into the realm o 
Tal Ha jus. . 

Not once did I have speech with Dejah Thoris 
as she sent no word to me that I would be welcom 
at her chariot, and my foolish pride kept me fror 
making any advances. I verily believe that 
man’s way with Women is in inverse ratio to hi 
prowess among men. The weakling and the sap 
head have often great ability to charm the fai 
sex, while the fighting man who can face a thoi 
sand real dangers unafraid, sits hiding in th 
shadows like some frightened child. 

Just thirty days after my advent upon Barsoor 
we entered the ancient city of Thark, from whos 
long forgotten people this horde of green me 
have stolen even their name. The hordes of Thar 
number some thirty thousand souls, and are divide 
into twenty-five communities. Each communit 
has its own jed and lesser chieftains, but all ar 
under the rule of Tal Hajus, Jeddak of Tharl 
Five communities make their headquarters at th 
city of Thark, and the balance are scattered amon 
other deserted cities of ancient Mars throughoi 
the district claimed by Tal Hajus. 

We made our entry into the great central plaz 

[ 172] 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


early in the afternoon. There were no enthusiastic 
friendly greetings for the returned expedition. 
Those who chanced to be in sight spoke the names 
af warriors or women with whom they came in 
direct contact, in the formal greeting of their kind, 
3ut when it was discovered that they brought two 
:aptives a greater interest was aroused, and Dejah 
Thoris and I were the centers of inquiring groups. 

We were soon assigned to new quarters, and the 
lalance of the day was devoted to settling our¬ 
selves to the changed conditions. My home now 
vas upon an avenue leading into the plaza from 
:he south, the main artery down which we had 
narched from the gates of the city. I was at the 
: ar end of the square and had an entire building 
o myself. The same grandeur of architecture 
vhich was so noticeable a characteristic of Korad 
vas in evidence here, only, if that were possible, 
)n a larger and richer scale. My quarters would 
lave been suitable for housing the greatest of 
earthly emperors, but to these queer creatures 
lothing about a building appealed to them but its 
iize and the enormity of its chambers; the larger 
he building, the more desirable; and so Tal Hajus 
iccupied what must have been an enormous public 
luilding, the largest in the city, but entirely unfitted 
[ 173 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


f«vr residence purposes; the next largest w; 
reserved forTorquas Ptomel, the next for the jc 
of a lesser rank, and so on to the bottom of tl 
list of five jeds. The warriors occupied the bud 
ings with the chieftains to whose retinues th< 
belonged; or, if they preferred, sought shelti 
among any of the thousands of untenanted bud 
ings in their own quarter of town; each communii 
being assigned a certain section of the city. Tl 
selection of building had to be made in accordan< 
tvith these divisions, except in so far as the jec 
were concerned, they all occupying edifices whic 
fronted upon the plaza. 

When I had finally put my house in order, < 
rather seen that it had been done, it was nearin 
sunset, and I hastened out with the intention c 
locating Sola and her charges, as I had determine 
upon having speech with Dejah Thoris and tryiri 
to impress on her the necessity of our at lea 
patching up a truce until I could find some way c 
aiding her to escape. I searched in vain until tl 
upper rim of the great red sun was just disappea 
ing behind the horizon and then I spied the ug! 
head of Woola peering from a second-story wi: 
daw on the opposite side of the very street whej 
I was quartern! hut nearer the plaza. 

[ 174 ] 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


Without waiting for a further invitation I bolted 
up the winding runway which led to the second 
floor, and entering a great chamber at the front 
of the building was greeted by the frenzied Woola, 
who threw his great carcass upon me, nearly hurl¬ 
ing me to the floor; the poor old fellow was so 
glad to see me that I thought he would devour 
me, his head split from ear to ear, showing his 
three rows of tusks in his hobgoblin smile. 

Quieting him with a word of command and a 
caress, I looked hurriedly through the approach¬ 
ing gloom for a sign of Dejah Thoris, and then, 
not seeing her, I called her name. There was an 
answering murmur from the far corner of the 
apartment, and with a couple of quick strides I 
svas standing beside her where she crouched among 
:he furs and silks upon an ancient carved wooden 
>eat. As I waited she rose to her full height and 
ooking me straight in the eye said: 

“What would Dotar Sojat, Thark, of Dejah 
Thoris his captive ?” 

“Dejah Thoris, I do not know how I have 
angered you. It was furtherest from my desire 
ito hurt or offend you, whom I had hoped to pro¬ 
ject and comfort. Have none of me if it is your 
tvill, but that you must aid me in effecting your 

[175] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


escape, if such a thing be possible, is not r 
request, but my command. When you are sa 
once more at your father’s court you may do wi 
me as you please, but from now on until that d 
I am your master, and you must obey and aid me 
She looked at me long and earnestly and 
thought that she was softening toward me. 

“I understand your words, Dotar Sojat,” s 
replied, “ but you I do not understand. You are 
queer mixture of child and man, of brute ai 
noble. I only wish that I might read your heart 
“ Look down at your feet, Dejah Thoris; it li 
there now where it has lain since that other nig 
at Korad, and where it will ever lie beating alo 
for you until death stills it forever.” 

She took a little step toward me, her beautif 
hands outstretched in a strange, groping gestui 
“What do you mean, John Carter?” she wh 
pered. “ What are you saying to me ? ” 

“ I am saying what I had promised myself th 
I would not say to you, at least until you were i 
longer a captive among the green men; what fre 
your attitude toward me for the past twenty da 
I had thought never to say to you; I am sayin 
Dejah Thoris, that I am yours, body and soi 
to.serve you, to fight for you, and to die for yc 
[ r 76] 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


Dnly one thing I ask of you in return, and that is 
hat you make no sign, either of condemnation or 
)f approbation of my words until you are safe 
imong your own people, and that whatever senti- 
nents you harbor toward me they be not influenced 
>r colored by gratitude; whatever I may do to 
erve you will be prompted solely from selfish 
notives, since it gives me more pleasure to serve 
ou than not.” 

“ I will respect your wishes, John Carter, 
iecause I understand the motives which prompt 
hem, and I accept your service no more willingly 
han I bow to your authority; your word shall be 
ly law. I have twice wronged you in my thoughts 
nd again I ask your forgiveness.” 

Further conversation of a personal nature was 
•revented by the entrance of Sola, who was much 
gitated and wholly unlike her usual calm and 
ossessed self. 

“That horrible Sarkoja has been before Tal 
lajus,” she cried, “ and from what I heard upon 
tie plaza there is little hope for either of you.” 

“ What do they say ? ” inquired Dejah Thoris. 

“That you will be thrown to the wild calots 
dogs] in the great arena as soon as the hordes 
ave assembled for the yearly games.” 

[ 177 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


‘‘Sola,” I said, “you are a Thark, but you ha 
and loathe the customs of your people as much 
we do. Will you not accompany us in one suprer 
effort to escape? I am sure that Dejah Thoi 
can offer you a home and protection among h 
people, a.$d your fate can be no worse among the 
than it must ever be here.” 

“Yes,” cried Dejah Thoris, “come with i 
Sola, you will be better off among the red men < 
Helium than you are here, and I can promise y< 
not only a home with us, but the love and affectic 
your nature craves and which must always 1 
denied you by the customs of your own race. Con 
with us, Sola; we might go without you, but yoi 
fate would be terrible if they thought you hi 
connived to aid us. I know that even that fe; 
would not tempt you to interfere in our escap 
but we want you with us, we want you to come i 
a land of sunshine and happiness, amongst a pe 
pie who know the meaning of love, of sympath 
and of gratitude. Say that you will, Sola; U 
me that you will.” 

“The great waterway which leads to Helium 
but fifty miles to the south,” murmured Sola, ha 
to herself; “a swift thoat might make it in thr< 
hours; and then to Helium it is five hundred mile 
[i?8] 




SHE DREW UPON THE MARBLE FLOOR THE FIRST MAP OF THE 

BARSOOMIAN TERRITORY I HAD EVER SEEN. Page 178 






WE PLAN ESCAPE 


most of the way through thinly settled districts. 
They would know and they would follow us. We 
might hide among the great trees for a time, but 
the chances are small indeed for escape. They 
would follow us to the very gates of Helium, and 
they would take toll of life at every step; you do 
not know them.” 

“ Is there no other way we might reach 
Helium?” I asked. “Can you not draw me a 
rough map of the country we must traverse, Dejah 
Thoris?” 

“Yes,” she replied, and taking a great diamond 
from her hair she drew upon the marble floor the 
first map of Barsoomian territory I had ever seen. 
It was crisscrossed in every direction with long 
straight lines, sometimes running parallel and 
sometimes converging toward some great circle. 
The lines, she said, were waterways; the circles, 
cities; and one far to the northwest of us she 
pointed out as Helium. There were other cities 
closer, but she said she feared to enter many of 
them, as they were not all friendly toward Helium. 

Finally, after studying the map carefully in the 
moonlight which now flooded the room, I pointed 
out a waterway far to the north of us which also 
seemed to lead to Helium. 

[1793 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“Does not this pierce your grandfather’s terri¬ 
tory?” I asked. 

“Yes,” she answered, “but it is two hundred 
miles north of us; it is one of the waterways we 
crossed on the trip to Thark.” 

“They would never suspect that we would try 
for that distant waterway,” I answered, “ and that 
is why I think that it is the best route for our 
escape.” 

Sola agreed with me, and it was decided that we 
should leave Thark this same night; just as quickly, 
in fact, as I could find and saddle my thoats. 
Sola was to ride one and Dejah Thoris and I 
the other; each of us carrying sufficient food and 
drink to last us for two days, since the animals 
could not be urged too rapidly for so long a dis¬ 
tance. 

I directed Sola to proceed with Dejah Thoris 
along one of the less frequented avenues to the 
southern boundary of the city, where I would over¬ 
take them with the thoats as quickly as possible; 
then, leaving them to gather what food, silks, and 
furs we were to need, I slipped quietly to the rear 
of the first floor, and entered the courtyard, where 
our animals were moving restlessly about, as was 
their habit, before settling down for the night. 

[ 180] 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


In the shadows of the buildings and out beneath 
the radiance of the Martian moons moved the 
great herd of thoats and zitidars, the latter grunt¬ 
ing their low gutturals and the former occasionally 
emitting the sharp squeal which denotes the almost 
habitual state of rage in which these creatures 
passed their existence. They were quieter now, 
owing to the absence of man, but as they scented 
me they became more restless and their hideous 
noise increased. It was risky business, this enter¬ 
ing a paddock of thoats alone and at night; first, 
because their increasing noisiness might warn the 
near-by warriors that something was amiss, and 
also because for the slightest cause, or for no cause 
at all some great bull thoat might take it upon 
himself to lead a charge upon me. 

Having no desire to awaken their nasty tem¬ 
pers upon such a night as this, where so much 
depended upon secrecy and dispatch, I hugged the 
shadows of the buildings, ready at an instant’s 
warning to leap into the safety of a near-by door 
or window. Thus I moved silently to the great 
gates which opened upon the street at the back 
of the court, and as I neared the exit I called 
softly to my two animals. How I thanked the 
kind providence which had given me the fore- 

[181] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


sight to win the love and confidence of these wile 
dumb brutes, for presently from the far side of 
the court I saw two huge bulks forcing their waj 
toward me through the surging mountains of flesh. 

They came quite close to me, rubbing their 
muzzles against my body and nosing for the bits 
of food it was always my practice to reward them 
with. Opening the gates I ordered the two great 
beasts to pass out, and then slipping quietly after 
them I closed the portals behind me. 

I did not saddle or mount the animals there, 
but instead walked quietly in the shadows of the 
buildings toward an unfrequented avenue which 
lead toward the point I had arranged to meet 
Dejah Thoris and Sola. With the noiselessness 
of disembodied spirits we moved stealthily along 
the deserted streets, but not until we were within 
sight of the plain beyond the city did I commence 
to breathe freely. I was sure that Sola and Dejah 
Thoris would find no difficulty in reaching our 
rendezvous undetected, but with my great thoats 
I was not so sure for myself, as it was quite 
unusual for warriors to leave the city after dark; 
in fact there was no place for them to go within 
any but a long ride. 

I reached the appointed meeting place safely, 
[182] 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


but as Dejah Thoris and Sola were not there I 
led my animals into the entrance hall of one of 
the large buildings. Presuming that one of the 
other women of the same household may have 
come in to speak to Sola, and so delayed their 
departure, I did not feel any undue apprehension 
until nearly an hour had passed without a sign of 
them, and by the time another half hour had 
crawled away I was becoming filled with grave' 
anxiety. Then there broke upon the stillness of 
the night the sound of an approaching party, 
which, from the noise, I know could be no fugi¬ 
tives creeping stealthily toward liberty. Soon the 
party was near me, and from the black shadows 
of my entrance way I perceived a score of mounted 
warriors, who, in passing, dropped a dozen words 
that fetched my heart clean into the top of my 
head. 

“He would likely have arranged to meet them 
just without the city, and so — ” I heard no more, 
they had passed on; but it was enough. Our plan 
had been discovered, and the chances for escape 
from now on to the fearful end would be small 
indeed. My one hope now was to return unde¬ 
tected to the quarters of Dejah Thoris and learn 
what fate had overtaken her, but how to do it 

[183] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


with these great monstrous thoats upon my hand 
now that the city probably was aroused by th 
knowledge of my escape was a problem of n 
mean proportions. 

Suddenly an idea occurred to me, and actin 
on my knowledge of the construction of the builc 
ings of these ancient Martian cities with a holloa 
court within the center of each square, I grope 
my way blindly through the dark chambers, callin 
the great thoats after me. They had difficulty i 
negotiating some of the doorways, but as th 
buildings fronting the city’s principal exposure 
were all designed upon a magnificent scale, the 
were able to wriggle through without sticking fast 
and thus we finally made the inner court where 
found, as I had expected, the usual carpet o 
moss-like vegetation which would prove their foo 
and drink until I could return them to their ow 
enclosure. That they would be as quiet and cor 
tented here as elsewhere I was confident, nor wa 
there but the remotest possibility that they woul 
be discovered, as the green men had no grea 
desire to enter these outlying buildings, whic 
were frequented by the only thing, I believe, whic 
caused them the sensation of fear — the gres 
white apes of Barsoom. 

[ 184] 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


Removing the saddle trappings, I hid them just 
within the rear doorway of the building through 
which we had entered the court, and, turning the 
beasts loose, quickly made my way across the 
court to the rear of the buildings upon the fur¬ 
ther side, and thence to the avenue beyond. Wait¬ 
ing in the doorway of the building until I was 
assured that no one was approaching, I hurried 
across to the opposite side and through the first 
doorway to the court beyond; thus, crossing 
through court after court with only the slight 
chance of detection which the necessary crossing of 
the avenues entailed, I made my way in safety to 
the courtyard in the rear of Dejah Thoris’ quarters. 

Here, of course, I found the beasts of the war¬ 
riors who quartered in the adjacent buildings, and 
the warriors themselves I might expect to meet 
within if I entered; but, fortunately for me, I had 
another and safer method of reaching the upper 
story where Dejah Thoris should be found, and, 
after first determining as nearly as possible which 
of the buildings she occupied, for I had never 
observed them before from the court side, I took 
advantage of my relatively great strength and 
agility and sprang upward until I grasped the sill 
of a second-story window which I thought to be 

[185] 



A PRINCES'S OF MARS 


in the rear of her apartment. Drawing myst 
inside the room I moved stealthily toward t 
front of the building, and not until I had qui 
reached the doorway of her room was I ma 
aware by voices that it was occupied. 

I did not rush headlong in, but listened witho 
to assure myself that it was Dejah Thoris and th 
it was safe to venture within. It was well indei 
that I took this precaution, for the conversath 
I heard was in the low gutturals of men, and tl 
words which finally came to me proved a me 
timely warning. The speaker was a chieftain ai 
he was giving orders to four of his warriors* 

“And when he returns to this chamber,” he w 
saying, “ as he surely will when he finds she do 
not meet him at the city’s edge, you four are 
spring upon him and disarm him. It will requi 
the combined strength of all of you to do it if tl 
reports they bring back from Korad are correi 
When you have him fast bound bear him to tl 
vaults beneath the jeddak’s quarters and cha 
him securely where he may be found when T 
Hajus wishes him. Allow him to speak with nor 
nor permit any other to enter this apartment befo 
he comes. There will be no danger of the g 
returning, for by this time she is safe in the arr 
[ 165 } 



WE PLAN ESCAPE 


A Tal Hajus, and may all her ancestors have pity 
jpon her, for Tal Hajus will have none; the great 
Sarkoja has done a noble night’s work. I go, and 
if you fail to capture him when he comes, I com- 
nend your carcasses to the cold bosom of Iss.” 


r »??l 



CHAPTER XVII 

A COSTLY RECAPTURE 
i the speaker ceased he turned to leave 



1 JLapartment by the door where I was sta 
ing, but I needed to wait no longer; I had he: 
enough to fill my soul with dread, and steal 
quietly away I returned to the courtyard by 
way I had come. My plan of action was forn 
upon the instant, and crossing the square and 
bordering avenue upon the opposite side I s< 
stood within the courtyard of Tal Ha jus. 

The brilliantly lighted apartments of the f 
floor told me where first to seek, and advanc 
to the windows I peered within. I soon discove 
that my approach was not to be the easy thin 
had hoped, for the rear rooms bordering the cc 
were filled with warriors and women. I t 
glanced up at the stories above, discovering t 
the third was apparently unlighted, and so deci 
to make my entrance to the building from t 
point. It was the work of but a moment for 
to reach the windows above, and soon I had dr; 


11881 


A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


lyself within the sheltering shadows of the un- 
ghted third floor. 

Fortunately the room I had selected was unten- 
nted, and creeping noiselessly to the corridor 
eyond I discovered a light in the apartments 
head of me. Reaching what appeared to be a 
oorway I discovered that it was but an opening 
pon an immense inner chamber which towered 
rom the first floor, two stories below me, to the 
iome-like roof of the building, high above my 
iead. The floor of this great circular hall was 
hronged with chieftains, warriors and women, 
nd at one end was a great raised platform upon 
riiich squatted the most hideous beast I had ever 
>ut my eyes upon. He had all the cold, hard, 
ruel, terrible features of the green warriors, but 
iccentuated and debased by the animal passions 
o which he had given himself over for many years, 
rhere was not a mark of dignity or pride upon 
lis bestial countenance, while his enormous bulk 
pread itself out upon the platform where he 
quatted like some huge devil fish, his six limbs 
ccentuating the similarity in a horrible and star¬ 
ling manner. 

But the sight that froze me with apprehension 
ras that of Dejah Thoris and Sola standing there 

[ 189] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


before him, and the fiendish leer of him as he 1 
his great protruding eyes gloat upon the lines 
her beautiful figure. She was speaking, but 
could not hear what she said, nor could I mal 
out the low grumbling of his reply. She stO( 
there erect before him, her head high held, ai 
even at the distance I was from them I could re; 
the scorn and disgust upon her face as she let h 
haughty glance rest without sign of fear upon hii 
She was indeed the proud daughter of a thousai 
jeddaks, every inch of her dear, precious litt 
body; so small, so frail beside the towering wi 
riors around her, but in her majesty dwarfii 
them into insignificance; she was the mightie 
figure among them and I verily believe that th 
felt it. 

Presently Tal Hajus made a sign that t 
chamber be cleared, and that the prisoners be 1< 
alone before him. Slowly the chieftains, the w; 
riors and the women melted away into the shado 
of the surrounding chambers, and Dejah Tho 
and Sola stood alone before the jeddak of t 
Tharks. 

One chieftain alone had hesitated before depa 
ing; I saw him standing in the shadows of a migl 
column, his fingers nervously toying with the 1 

. [190] 



A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


: his great-sword and his cruel eyes bent in implac- 
jle hatred upon Tal Hajus. It was Tars Tarkas, 
id I could read his thoughts as they were an open 
iok for the undisguised loathing upon his face. 
! e was thinking of that other woman who, forty 
fars ago, had stood before this beast, and could 
have spoken a word into his ear at that moment 
e reign of Tal Hajus would have been over; 
ft finally he also strode from the room, not know- 
y that he left his own daughter at the mercy of 
e creature he most loathed. 

Tal Hajus arose, and I, half fearing, half antici- 
.ting his intentions, hurried to the winding run¬ 
ny which led to the floors below. No one was 
ar to intercept me, and I reached the main floor 
’ the chamber unobserved, taking my station in 
e shadow of the same column that Tars Tarkas 
d but just deserted. As I reached the floor 
il Hajus was speaking. 

“Princess of Helium, I might wring a mighty 
nsom from your people would I but return you 
them unharmed, but a thousand times rather 
mid I watch that beautiful face writhe in the 
ony of torture; it shall be long drawn out, that 
iromise you; ten days of pleasure were all too 
ort to show the love I harbor for your race. The 

[ 191 3 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


terrors of your death shall haunt the slumber 
the red men through all the ages to come; t 
will shudder in the shadows of the night as t 
fathers tell them of the awful vengeance of 
green men; of the power and might and hate 
cruelty of Tal Hajus. But before the torture 
shall be mine for one short hour, and word of i 
too shall go forth to Tardos Mors, Jeddak 
Helium, your grandfather, that he may gr< 
upon the ground in the agony of his son 
Tomorrow the torture will commence; ton 
thou art Tal Hajus’; come!” 

He sprang down from the platform and gras 
her roughly by the arm, but scarcely had he touc 
her than I leaped between them. My short-swi 
sharp and gleaming was in my right hand; I c< 
have plunged it into his putrid heart before 
realized that I was upon him; but as I raised 
arm to strike I thought of Tars Tarkas, and, i 
all my rage, with all my hatred, I could not 
him of that sweet moment for which he had li 
and hoped all these long, weary years, and 
instead, I swung my good right fist full upon 
point of his jaw. Without a sound he slippe« 
the floor as one dead. 

In the same deathly silence I grasped D< 
[192] 



A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


"horis by the hand, and motioning to Sola to fol- 
dw we sped noiselessly from the chamber and to 
be floor above. Unseen we reached a rear win- 
ow and with the straps and leather of my trap- 
ings I lowered, first Sola and then Dejah Thoris 
o the ground below. Dropping lightly after them 

drew them rapidly around the court in the 
hadows of the buildings, and thus we returned 
ver the same course I had so recently followed 
rom the distant boundary of the city. 

We finally came upon my thoats in the court- 
ard where I had left them, and placing the trap- 
lings upon them we hastened through the build- 
ng to the avenue beyond. Mounting, Sola upon 
me beast, and Dejah Thoris behind me upon the 
ither, we rode from the city of Thark through the 
tills to the south. 

Instead of circling back around the city to the 
lorthwest and toward the nearest waterway which 
ay so short a distance from us, we turned to the 
ortheast and struck out upon the mossy waste 
cross which, for two hundred dangerous and 
reary miles, lay another main artery leading to 
lelium. 

No word was spoken until we had left the city 
ar behind, but I could hear the quiet sobbing of 

[ 193] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Dejah Thoris as she clung to me with her de 
head resting against my shoulder. 

“ If we make it, my chieftain, the debt 
Helium will be a mighty one; greater than s 
can every pay you; and should we not make il 
she continued, “ the debt is no less, though Helii 
will never know, for you have saved the last 
our line from worse than death.’’ 

I did not answer, but instead reached to my si 
and pressed the little fingers of her I loved whe 
they clung to me for support, and then, in i 
broken silence, we sped over the yellow, moon 
moss; each of us occupied with his own though 
For my part I could not be other than joyful hac 
tried, with Dejah Thoris’ warm body pressed clc 
to mine, and with all our unpassed danger r 
heart was singing as gaily as though we we 
already entering the gates of Helium. 

Our earlier plans had been so sadly upset th 
we now found ourselves without food or drir 
and I alone w T as armed. We therefore urged o 
beasts to a speed that must tell on them son 
before we could hope to sight the ending of t 
first stage of our journey. 

We rode all night and all the following d 
with only a few short rests. On the second nig 

[194] 



A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


)Oth we and our animals were completely fagged, 
md so we lay down upon the moss and slept for 
some five or six hours, taking up the journey once 
nore before daylight. All the following day we 
rode, and when, late in the afternoon we had 
sighted no distant trees, the mark of the great 
waterways throughout all Barsoom, the terrible 
truth flashed upon us—we were lost. 

Evidently we had circled, but which way it was 
difficult to say, nor did it seem possible with the 
sun to guide us by day and the moons and stars 
by night. At any rate no waterway was in sight, 
and the entire party was almost ready to drop 
from hunger, thirst and fatigue. Far ahead of 
us and a trifle to the right we could distinguish 
the outlines of low mountains. These we decided 
to attempt to reach in the hope that from some 
ridge we might discern the missing waterway. 
Night fell upon us before we reached our goal, 
and, almost fainting from weariness and weakness, 
we lay down and slept. 

I was awakened early in the morning by some 
huge body pressing close to mine, and opening my 
eyes with a start I beheld my blessed old Woola 
snuggling close to me; the faithful brute had fol¬ 
lowed us across that trackless waste to share our 

[195] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


fate, whatever it might be. Putting my arms abo 
his neck I pressed my cheek close to his, nor am 
ashamed that I did it, nor of the tears that can 
to my eyes as I thought of his love for me. Short 
after this Dejah Thoris and Sola awakened, ar 
it was decided that we push on at once in an effo 
to gain the hills. 

We had gone scarcely a mile when I notic< 
that my thoat was commencing to stumble ar 
stagger in a most pitiful manner, although we hi 
not attempted to force them out of a walk sin 
about noon of the preceding day. Suddenly 1 
lurched wildly to one side and pitched violently 
the ground. Dejah Thoris and I were throv 
clear of him and fell upon the soft moss wi 
scarcely a jar; but the poor beast was in a pitiab 
condition, not even being able to rise, althou^ 
relieved of our weight. Sola told me that tl 
coolness of the night, when it fell, together wi 
the rest would doubtless revive him, and so 
decided not to kill him, as was my first intentio 
as I had thought it cruel to leave him alone the 
to die of hunger and thirst. Relieving him of li 
trappings, which I flung down beside him, we le 
the poor fellow to his fate, and pushed on wi : 
the one thoat as best we could. Sola and I walke 
[ 196 ] 



A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


making Dejah Thoris ride, much against her will. 
In this way we had progressed to within about a 
mile of the hills we were endeavoring to reach 
when Dejah Thoris, from her point of vantage 
upon the thoat, cried out that she saw a great 
party of mounted men filing down from a pass in 
the hills several miles away. Sola and I both 
looked in the direction she indicated, and there, 
plainly discernible, were several hundred mounted 
warriors. They seemed to be headed in a south¬ 
westerly direction, which would take them away 
from us. 

They doubtless were Thark warriors who had 
been sent out to capture us, and we breathed a 
great sigh of relief that they were traveling in the 
opposite direction. Quickly lifting Dejah Thoris 
from the thoat, I commanded the animal to lie 
down and we three then did the same, presenting 
as small an object as possible for fear of attract¬ 
ing the attention of the warriors toward us. 

We could see them as they filed out of the pass, 
just for an instant, before they were lost to view 
behind a friendly ridge; to us a most providential 
ridge; since, had they been in view for any great 
length of time, they scarcely could have failed to 
discover us v As what proved to be the last war- 

[ 197] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


rior came into view from the pass, he halted am 
to our consternation, threw his small but powerfi 
fieldglass to his eye and scanned the sea bottom i 
all directions. Evidently he was a chieftain, for i 
certain marching formations among the green me 
a chieftain brings up at the extreme rear of tl 
column. As his glass swung toward us our hear 
stopped in our breasts, and I could feel the col 
sweat start from every pore in my body. 

Presently it swung full upon us and—stopper 
The tension on our nerves was near the breakin 
point, and I doubt if any of us breathed for tl 
few moments he held us covered by his glass; an 
then he lowered it and we could see him shout 
command to the warriors who had passed fro] 
our sight behind the ridge. He did not wait fc 
them to join him, however, instead he wheele 
his thoat and came tearing madly in our directio: 

There was but one slight chance and that v 
must take quickly. Raising my strange Martia 
rifle to my shoulder I sighted and touched tl 
button which controlled the trigger; there was 
sharp explosion as the missile reached its goa 
and the charging chieftain pitched backward fro 
his flying mount. 

Springing to my feet I urged the thoat to ris 

[ 198] 



A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


and directed Sola to take Dejah Thoris with her 
upon him and make a mighty effort to reach the 
hills before the green warriors were upon us. I 
knew that in the ravines and gullies they might 
find a temporary hiding place, and even though 
they died there of hunger and thirst it would be 
better so than that they fell into the hands of 
the Tharks. Forcing my two revolvers upon them 
as a slight means of protection, and, as a last 
resort, as an escape for themselves from the horrid 
death which recapture would surely mean, I lifted 
Dejah Thoris in my arms and placed her upon 
the thoat behind Sola, who had already mounted 
at my command. 

“Good-bye, my princess,” I whispered, “we 
may meet in Helium yet. I have escaped from 
worse plights than this,” and I tried to smile as 
I lied. 

“What,” she cried, “are you not coming with 
us?” 

“How may I, Dejah Thoris? Some one must 
hold these fellows off for a while, and I can better 
escape them alone than could the three of us 
together.” 

She sprang quickly from the thoat and, throw- 
ing her dear arms about my neck, turned to Sola, 
[ 199 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


saying with quiet dignity: “Fly, Sola! Dejal 
Thoris remains to die with the man she loves.’ 

Those words are engraved upon my heart. Ah 
gladly would I give up my life a thousand time: 
could I only hear them once again; but I coulc 
not then give even a second to the rapture of hei 
sweet embrace, and pressing my lips to hers foi 
the first time, I picked her up bodily and tossec 
her to her seat behind Sola again, commanding th( 
latter in peremptory tones to hold her there b] 
force, and then, slapping the thoat upon the flank 
I saw them borne away; Dejah Thoris struggling 
to the last to free herself from Sola’s grasp. 
Turning, I beheld the green warriors mounting 
the ridge and looking for their chieftain. In j 
moment they saw him, and then me; but scarcel] 
had they discovered me than I commenced firing 
lying flat upon my belly in the moss. I had ar 
even hundred rounds in the magazine of my rifle 
and another hundred in the belt at my back, and ] 
kept up a continuous stream of fire until I saw al 
of the warriors who had been first to return fron 
behind the ridge either dead or scurrying to cover 
My respite was short lived however, for sooi 
the entire party, numbering some thousand men 
came charging into view, racing madly toward me 
[200] 



A COSTLY RECAPTURE 


I fired until my rifle was empty and they were 
almost upon me, and then a glance showing me 
that Dejah Thoris and Sola had disappeared 
among the hills, I sprang up, throwing down my 
useless gun, and started away in the direction 
opposite to that taken by Sola and her charge. 

If ever Martians had an exhibition of jumping, 
it was granted those astonished warriors on that 
day long years ago, but while it led them away 
from Dejah Thoris it did not distract their atten¬ 
tion from endeavoring to capture me. 

They raced wildly after me until, finally, my 
foot struck a projecting piece of quartz, and down 
I went sprawling upon the moss. As I looked up 
they were upon me, and although I drew my long- 
sword in an attempt to sell my life as dearly as 
possible, it was soon over. I reeled beneath their 
blows which fell upon me in perfect torrents; my 
head swam; all was black, and I went down 
beneath them to oblivion. 


t 201 J 



CHAPTER XVIII 

CHAINED IN WARHOON 

I T must have been several hours before I re¬ 
gained consciousness and I well remember the 
feeling of surprise which swept over me as I 
realized that I was not dead. 

I was lying among a pile of sleeping silks and 
furs in the corner of a small room in which were 
several green warriors, and bending over me was 
an ancient and ugly female. 

As I opened my eyes she turned to one of the 
warriors, saying, 

“He will live, O, Jed.” 

“’Tis well,” replied the one so addressed, ris¬ 
ing and approaching my couch, “he should rendei 
rare sport for the great games.” 

And now as my eyes fell upon him, I saw that 
he was no Thark, for his ornaments and metal 
were not of that horde. He was a huge fellow, 
terribly scarred about the face and chest, and with 
one broken tusk and a missing ear. Strapped or 
either breast were human skulls and depending 
from these a number of dried human hands. 

[ 202 ] 




CHAINED IN WARHOON 


His reference to the great games of which I 
ad heard so much while among the Tharks con- 
inced me that I had but jumped from purgatory 
ito gehenna. 

After a few more words with the female, during 
hich she assured him that I was now fully fit 
) travel, the jed ordered that we mount and ride 
fter the main column. 

I was strapped securely to as wild and unman- 
geable a thoat as I had ever seen, and, with a 
lounted warrior on either side to prevent the 
east from bolting, we rode forth at a furious pace 
1 pursuit of the column. My wounds gave me 
ut little pain, so wonderfully and rapidly had the 
pplications and injections of the female exer- 
ised their therapeutic powers, and so deftly had 
he bound and plastered the injuries. 

Just before dark we reached the main body of 
roops shortly after they had made camp for the 
ight. I was immediately taken before the leader, 
dio proved to be the jeddak of the hordes of 
Varhoon. 

Like the jed who had brought me, he was fright- 
ully scarred, and also decorated with the breast- 
late of human skulls and dried dead hands w T hich 
denied to mark all the greater warriors among 
[203] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


the Warhoons, as well as to indicate their aw 
ferocity, which greatly transcends even that of I 
Tharks. 

The jeddak, Bar Comas, who was compa 
tively young, was the object of the fierce a 
jealous hatred of his old lieutenant, Dak Kcr 
the jed who had captured me, and I could not t 
note the almost studied efforts which the lati 
made to affront his superior. 

He entirely omitted the usual formal salu 
tion as we entered the presence of the jeddak, a 
as he pushed me roughly before the ruler 
exclaimed in a loud and menacing voice, 

“ I have brought a strange creature wearing t 
metal of a Thark whom it is my pleasure to ha 
battle with a wild thoat at the great games.” 

“He will die as Bar Comas, your jeddak, s< 
fit, if at all,” replied the young ruler, with e 
phasis and dignity. 

“ If at all ? ” roared Dak Kova. “ By the de 
hands at my throat but he shall die, Bar Com 
No maudlin weakness on your part shall sa 
him. O, would that Warhoon were ruled by 
real jeddak rather than by a water-hearted we; 
ling from whom even old Dak Kova could t( 
the metal with his bare hands 1 ” 

[204] 



CHAINED IN WARHOON 


Bar Comas eyed the- defiant and insubordinate 
nieftain for an instant, his expression one of 
liughty, fearless contempt and hate, and then 
ithout drawing a weapon and without uttering a 
ord he hurled himself at the throat of his 
i^famer. 

I never before had seen two green Martian 
arriors battle with nature’s weapons and the 
diibition of animal ferocity which ensued was 
; fearful a thing as the most disordered imagina- 
on could picture. They tore at each others’ eyes 
id ears with their hands and with their gleaming 
isks repeatedly slashed and gored until both were 
it fairly to ribbons from head to foot. 

Bar Comas had much the better of the battle 
i he was stronger, quicker and more intelligent. 
: soon seemed that the encounter was done sav- 
ig only the final death thrust when Bar Comas 
ipped in breaking away from a clinch. It was 
le one little opening that Dak Kova needed, and 
urling himself at the body of his adversary he 
iried his single mighty tusk in Bar Comas’ groin 
id with a last powerful effort ripped the young 
ddak wide open the full length of his body, the 
reat tusk finally wedging in the bones of Bar 
omas’ jaw. Victor and vanquished rolled limp 

[ 2 °S ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


and lifeless upon the moss, a huge mass of t 
and bloody flesh. 

Bar Comas was stone dead, and only the n 
herculean efforts on the part of Dak Ko 
females saved him from the fate he desen 
Three days later he walked without assistant 
the body of Bar Comas which, by custom, had 
been moved from where it fell, and placing 
foot upon the neck of his erstwhile ruler 
assumed the title of Jeddak of Warhoon. 

The dead jeddak’s hands and head v 
removed to be added to the ornaments of 
conqueror, and then his women cremated w 
remained, amid wild and terrible laughter. 

The injuries to Dak Kova had delayed 
march so greatly that it was decided to give 
the expedition, which was a raid upon a sn 
Thark community in retaliation for the desti 
tion of the incubator, until after the great gan 
and the entire body of warriors, ten thousanc 
number, turned back toward Warhoon. 

My introduction to these cruel and bio 
thirsty people was but an index to the scene 
witnessed almost daily while with them. T 
are a smaller horde than the Tharks but m 
more ferocious. Not a day passed but that sc 
[206] 



CHAINED IN WARHOON 
- -------- 

'imbers of the various Warhoon communities 
;t in deadly combat. I have seen as high as 
i'ht mortal duels within a single day. 

-We reached the city of Warhoon after some 
jree days march and I was immediately cast 
:o a dungeon and heavily chained to the floor 
d walls. Food was brought me at intervals but 
ying to the utter darkness of the place I do not 
ow whether I lay there days, or weeks, or 
Dnths. It was the most horrible experience of 
l my life and that my mind did not give way to 
e terrors of that inky blackness has been a 
mder to me ever since. The place was filled 
th creeping, crawling things; cold, sinuous 
•dies passed over me when I lay down, and in 
e darkness I occasionally caught glimpses of 
earning, fiery eyes, fixed in horrible intentness 
•on me. No sound reached me from the world 
iove and no word would my jailer vouchsafe 
len my food was brought to me, although I at 
st bombarded him with questions. 

Finally all the hatred and maniacal loathing for 
ese awful creatures who had placed me in this 
irrible place was centered by my tottering reason 
•on this single emissary who represented to me 
e entire horde of Warhoons. 

[207] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I had noticed that he always advanced wi 
his dim torch to where he could place the fo< 
within my reach and as he stooped to place it up< 
the floor his head was about on a level with n 
breast. So, with the cunning of a madman, 
backed into the far corner of my cell when ne 
I heard him approaching and gathering a lit! 
slack of the great chain which held me in my hai 
I waited his coming, crouching like some beast 
prey. As he stooped to place my food upon ti 
ground I swung the chain above my head ai 
crashed the links with all my strength upon 1 
skull. Without a sound he slipped to the floe 
stone dead. 

Laughing and chattering like the idiot I w 
fast becoming I fell upon his prostrate form r 
fingers feeling for his dead throat. Presently th 
came in contact with a small chain at the end 
which dangled a number of keys. The touch 
my fingers on these keys brought back my reas< 
with the suddenness of thought. No longer was 
a jibbering idiot, but a sane, reasoning man wi 
the means of escape within my very hands. 

As I was groping to remove the chain fre 
about my victim’s neck I glanced up into the dai 
ness to see six pairs of gleaming eyes fixed, unwir 
[208] 



CHAINED IN WARHOON 


5, upon me. Slowly they approached and slowly 
shrank back from the awful horror of them, 
ick into my comer I crouched holding my hands, 
,1ms out, before me, and stealthily on came the 
rful eyes until they reached the dead body at my 
et. Then slowly they retreated but this time 
th a strange grating sound and finally they 
sappeared in some black and distant recess of 
y dungeon. 



CHAPTER XIX 

BATTLING IN THE ARENA 


S LOWLY I regained my composure and fin; 

essayed again to attempt to remove the k 
from the dead body of my former jailer. But 
I reached out into the darkness to locate i 
found to my horror that it was gone. Then 
truth flashed on me; the owners of those gleam 
eyes had dragged my prize away from me to 
devoured in their neighboring lair; as they 1 
been waiting for days, for weeks, for mont 
through all this awful eternity of my impris 
ment to drag my dead carcass to their feast. 

For two days no food was brought me, 
then a new messenger appeared and my incarce 
tion went on as before, but not again did I all 
my reason to be submerged by the horror of 
position. 

Shortly after this episode another prisoner t 
brought in and chained near me. By the c 
torch light I saw that he was a red Martian £ 
I could scarcely await the departure of his gua 
f 210 J 


BATTLING IN THE ARENA 


to address him. As their retreating footsteps died 
away in the distance, I called out softly the Mar¬ 
tian word of greeting, kaor. 

“Who are you who speaks out of the dark¬ 
ness?” he answered. 

“John Carter, a friend of the red men of 
Helium.” 

“I am of Helium,” he said, “but I do not recall 
your name.” 

And then I told him my story as I have written 
it here, omitting only any reference to my love for 
Dejah Thoris. He was much excited by the news 
of Helium’s princess and seemed quite positive 
that she and Sola could easily have reached a point 
of safety from where they left me. He said that 
he knew the place well because the defile through 
which the Warhoon warriors had passed when 
they discovered us was the only one ever used by 
them when marching to the south. 

“ Dejah Thoris and Sola entered the hills not 
five miles from a great waterway and are now 
probably quite safe,” he assured me. 

My fellow prisoner was Kantos Kan, a padwar 
(lieutenant) in the navy of Helium. He had 
been a member of the ill-fated expedition which 
had fallen into the hands of the Tharks at the 

r 2 11 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


time of Dejah Thoris’ capture, and he briefly 
related the events which followed the defeat of th< 
battleships. 

Badly injured and only partially manned the) 
had limped slowly toward Helium, but whih 
passing near the city of Zodanga, the capital ol 
Helium’s hereditary enemies among the red mer 
of Barsoom, they had been attacked by a great 
body of war vessels and all but the craft to whict 
Kantos Kan belonged were either destroyed 01 
captured. His vessel was chased for days b) 
three of the Zodangan war ships but finally escapee 
during the darkness of a moonless night. 

Thirty days after the capture of Dejah Thoris, 
or about the time of our coming to Thark, his 
vessel had reached Helium with about ten sur¬ 
vivors of the original crew of seven hundred 
officers and men. Immediately seven great fleets, 
each of one hundred mighty war ships, had beer 
dispatched to search for Dejah Thoris, and frorr 
these vessels two thousand smaller craft had beer 
kept out continuously in futile search for the 
missing princess. 

Two green Martian communities had beer 
wiped off the face of Barsoom by the avenging 
fleets, but no trace of Dejah Thoris had beer 
[ 212 ] 



BATTLING IN THE ARENA 


ound. They had been searching among the 
orthern hordes, and only within the past few 
'ays had they extended their quest to the south. 

Kantos Kan had been detailed to one of the 
mall one man fliers and had had the misfortune 
o be discovered by the Warhoons while exploring 
heir city. The bravery and daring of the man 
/on my greatest respect and admiration. Alone 
ie had landed at the city’s boundary and on foot 
tad penetrated to the buildings surrounding the 
ilaza. For two days and nights he had explored 
heir quarters and their dungeons in search of his 
-eloved princess only to fall into the hands of 
. party of Warhoons as he was about to leave, 
fter assuring himself that Dejah Thoris was not 
. captive there. 

During the period of our incarceration Kantos 
Can and I became well acquainted, and formed a 
krm personal friendship. A few days only 
lapsed, however, before we were dragged forth 
rom our dungeon for the great games. We were 
onducted early one morning to an enormous 
mphitheater, which instead of having been built 
pon the surface of the ground was excavated 
elow the surface. It had partially filled with 
debris so that how large it had originally been 

[213] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


was difficult to say. In its present condition 
held the entire twenty thousand Warhoons of t 
assembled hordes. 

The arena was immense but extremely unev 
and unkempt. Around it the Warhoons had pil 
building stone from some of the ruined edifk 
of the ancient city to prevent the animals and t 
captives from escaping into the audience, and 
each end had been constructed cages to hold th< 
until their turns came to meet some horrible dea 
upon the arena. 

Kantos Kan and I were confined together 
one of the cages. In the others were wild calo 
thoats, mad zitidars, green warriors, and worn 
of other hordes, and many strange and ferocio 
wild beasts of Barsoom which I had never befc 
6 een. The din of their roaring, growling a 
squealing was deafening and the formidat 
appearance of any one of them was enough 
make the stoutest heart feel grave foreboding 

Kantos Kan explained to me that at the end 
the day one of these prisoners would gain freedc 
and the others would lie dead about the arer 
The winners in the various contests of the d 
would be pitted against each other until only ti 
remained alive; the victor in the last encounl 

[2x4] 



BATTLING IN THE ARENA 


being set free, whether animal or man. The fol¬ 
lowing morning the cages would be filled with a 
new consignment of victims, and so on throughout 
the ten days of the games. 

Shortly after we had been caged the amphi¬ 
theater began to fill and within an hour every 
available part of the seating space was occupied. 
Dak Kova, with his jeds and chieftains, sat at the 
center of one side of the arena upon a large raised 
platform. 

At a signal from Dak Kova the doors of two 
cages were thrown open and a dozen green Mar¬ 
tian females were driven to the center of the arena. 
Each was given a dagger and then, at the far end, 
a pack of twelve calots, or wild dogs were loosed 
upon them. 

As the brutes, growling and foaming, rushed 
upon the almost defenseless women I turned my 
head that I might not see the horrid sight. The 
yells and laughter of the green horde bore witness 
to the excellent quality of the sport and when I 
turned back to the arena, as Kantos Kan told me 
it was over, I saw three victorious calots, snarling 
and growling over the bodies of their prey. The 
women had given a good account of themselves. 

Next a mad zitidar was loosed among the 

[215] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


remaining dogs, and so it went throughout t 
long, hot, horrible day. 

During the day I was pitted against first rr 
and then beasts, but as I was armed with a loi 
sword and always outclassed my adversary 
agility and generally in strength as well, it prov 
but child’s play to me. Time and time agair 
won the applause of the bloodthirsty multitn 
and toward the end there were cries that I 
taken from the arena and be made a member 
the hordes of Warhoon. 

Finally there were but three of us left, a gr 
green warrior of some far northern horde, Kan 
Kan, and myself. The other two were to bal 
and then I to fight the conqueror for the libe 
which was accorded the final winner. 

Kantos Kan had fought several times dur 
the day and like myself had always proven > 
torious, but occasionally by the smallest of margi 
especially when pitted against the green warric 
I had little hope that he could best his giant ad\ 
sary who had mowed down all before him dur 
the day. The fellow towered nearly sixteen f 
in height, while Kantos Kan was some inches un 
six feet. As they advanced to meet one anot 
I saw for the first time a trick of Martian swoi 
[216] 



BATTLING IN THE ARENA 


manship which centered Kantos Kan’s every hope 
of victory and life on one cast of the dice, for, as 
he came to within about twenty feet of the huge 
fellow he threw his sword arm far behind him 
Dver his shoulder and with a mighty sweep hurled 
his weapon point foremost at the green warrior, 
[t flew true as an arrow and piercing the poor 
devil’s heart laid him dead upon the arena. 

Kantos Kan and I were now pitted against each 
other but as we approached to the encounter I 
whispered to him to prolong the battle until nearly 
dark in the hope that we might find some means 
of escape. The horde evidently guessed that we 
had no hearts to fight each other and so they 
howled in rage as neither of us placed a fatal 
thrust. Just as I saw the sudden coming of dark 
I whispered to Kantos Kan to thrust his sword 
between my left arm and my body. As he did 
so I staggered back clasping the sword tightly with 
my arm and thus fell to the ground with his 
weapon apparently protruding from my chest. 
Kantos Kan perceived my coup and stepping 
quickly to my side he placed his foot upon my 
neck and withdrawing his sword from my body 
gave me the final death blow through the neck 
which is supposed to sever the jugular vein, but 

[ 217 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


in this instance the cold blade slipped harmlei 
into the sand of the arena. In the darkness wh 
had now fallen none could tell but that he 1 
really finished me. I whispered to him to go z 
claim his freedom and then look for me in the h 
east of the city, and so he left me. 

When the amphitheater had cleared I cr 
stealthily to the top and as the great excavat 
lay far from the plaza and in an untenanted p 
tion of the great dead city I had little trouble 
reaching the hills beyond. 


T»81 



CHAPTER XX 

IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


F OR two days I waited there for Kantos Kan, 
but as he did not come I started off on foot 
n a northwesterly direction toward a point 
vhere be had told me lay the nearest waterway. 
Vly only food consisted of vegetable milk from 
he plants which gave so bounteously of this price- 
ess fluid. 

Through two long weeks I wandered, stumbling 
:hrough the nights guided only by the stars and 
biding during the days behind some protruding 
rock or among the occasional hills I traversed. 
Several times I was attacked by wild beasts; 
strange, uncouth monstrosities that leaped upon 
me in the dark, so that I had ever to grasp my 
long-sword in my hand that I might be ready for 
them. Usually my strange, newly* acquired tele¬ 
pathic power warned me in ample time, but once 
I was down with vicious fangs at my jugular and a 
hairy face pressed close to mine before I knew 
that I was even threatened. 

[219] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


What manner of thing was upon me I did n 
know, but that it was large and heavy and mar 
legged I could feel. My hands were at its thro 
before the fangs had a chance to bury themselv 
in my neck, and slowly I forced the hairy fa 
from me and closed my fingers, vise-like, upon : 
windpipe. 

Without sound we lay there, the beast exertii 
every effort to reach me with those awful fan£ 
and I straining to maintain my grip and choke t 
life from it as I kept it from my throat. Slov 
my arms gave to the unequal struggle, and inch 
inch the burning eyes and gleaming tusks of i 
antagonist crept toward me, until, as the hairy fa 
touched mine again, I realized that all was ov 
And then a living mass of destruction sprang frc 
the surrounding darkness full upon the creati 
that held me pinioned to the ground. The 
rolled growling upon the moss, tearing and rer 
ing one another in a frightful manner, but it v 
soon over and my preserver stood with lower 
head above the throat of the dead thing wh; 
would have killed me. 

The nearer moon, hurtling suddenly abc 
the horizon and lighting up the Barsoomi 
scene, showed me that my preserver was Woo 
[ 220 ] 



IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


nt from whence he had come, or how found me, 
was at a loss to know. That I was glad of his 
jmpanionship it is needless to say, but my pleasure 
i seeing him was tempered by anxiety as to the 
iason of his leaving Dejah Thoris. Only her 
sath I felt sure, could account for his absence 
•om her, so faithful I knew him to be to my 
)mmands. 

By the light of the now brilliant moons I saw 
lat he was but a shadow of his former self, and 
i he turned from my caress and commenced 
reedily to devour the dead carcass at my feet I 
jalized that the poor fellow was more than half 
arved. I, myself, was in but little better plight 
it I could not bring myself to eat the uncooked 
esh and I had no means of making a fire. When 
^oola had finished his meal I again took up my 
eary and seemingly endless wandering in quest 
f the elusive waterway. 

At daybreak of the fifteenth day of my search 
was overjoyed to see the high trees that denoted 
le object of my search. About noon I dragged 
lyself wearily to the portals of a huge building 
hich covered perhaps four square miles and 
)wered two hundred feet in the air. It showed 
o aperture in the mighty walls other than the 
[221] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


tiny door at which I sank exhausted, nor was th 
any sign of life about it. 

I could find no bell or other method of mak 
my presence known to the inmates of the ph 
unless a small round hole in the wall near the d 
was for that purpose. It was of about the bigr 
of a lead pencil and thinking that it might be 
the nature of a speaking tube I put my mouth 
it and was about to call into it when a voice issi 
from it asking me whom I might be, where fr< 
and the nature of my errand. 

I explained that I had escaped from the W 
hoons and was dying of starvation and exhausti 

“You wear the metal of a green warrior ; 
are followed by a calot, yet you are of the fig 
of a red man. In color you are neither green' 
red. In the name of the ninth day, what man 
of creature are you?” 

“I am a friend of the red men of Barsc 
and I am starving. In the name of humanity o 
to us,” I replied. 

Presently the door commenced to recede be* 
me until it had sunk into the wall fifty feet, the 
stopped and slid easily to the left, exposing a sh 
narrow corridor of concrete, at the further enc 
which was another door, similar in every res] 
[ 2 22 ] 



IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


o the one I had just passed. No one was in sight, 
et immediately we passed the first door it slid 
ently into place behind us and receded rapidly to 
:s original position in the front wall of the build- 
1 g. As the door had slipped aside I had noted its 
reat thickness, fully twenty feet, and as it reached 
s place once more after closing behind us, great 
flinders of steel had dropped from the ceiling 
ehind it and fitted their lower ends into apertures 
Duntersunk in the floor. 

A second and a third door receded before me 
ad slipped to one side as the first, before I reached 

large inner chamber where I found food and 
rink set out upon a great stone table. A voice 
irected me to satisfy my hunger and to feed my 
alot, and while I was thus engaged my invisible 
ost put me through a severe and searching cross- 
xamination. 

“Your statements are most remarkable,” said 
he voice, on concluding its questioning, “but you 
re evidently speaking the truth, and it is equally 
vident that you are not of Barsoom. I can tell 
hat by the conformation of your brain and rhe 
trange location of your internal organs and the 
hape and size of your heart.” 

“Can you see through me?” I exclaimed. 
[223] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“Yes, I can see all but your thoughts, and we 
you a Barsoomian I could read those.” 

Then a door opened at the far side of t 
chamber and a strange, dried up, little mummy 
a man came toward me. He wore but a sinj 
article of clothing or adornment, a small collar 
gold from which depended upon his chest a gre 
ornament as large as a dinner plate set solid wi 
huge diamonds, except for the exact center whS 
was occupied by a strange stone, an inch in dia 
eter, that scintillated nine different and distil 
rays; the seven colors of our earthly prism a 
two beautiful rays which, to me, were new a 
nameless. I cannot describe them any more th 
you could describe red to a blind man. I oi 
know that they were beautiful in the extreme. 

The old man sat and talked with me for hou 
and the strangest part of our intercourse was tl 
I could read his every thought while he could r 
fathom an iota from my mind unless I spoke. 

I did not apprise him of my ability to sense 1 
mental operations, and thus I learned a great di 
which proved of immense value to me later a 
which I would never have known had he suspecl 
my strange power, for the Martians have si 
perfect control df their mental machinery that tl 
[ 224] 



IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


e able to direct their thoughts with absolute 
ecision. 

The building in which I found myself contained 
e machinery which produces that artificial atmos- 
ere which sustains life on Mars. The secret of 
e entire process hinges on the use of the ninth 
y, one of the beautiful scintillations whieh I had 
ted emanating from the great stone in my host’s 
idem. 

This ray is separated from the other rays of 
2 sun by means of finely adjusted instruments 
iced upon the roof of the huge building, three- 
arters of which is used for reservoirs in which 
^ ninth ray is stored. This product is then 
:ated electrically, or rather certain proportions 
refined electric vibrations are incorporated with 
and the result is then pumped to the five prin- 
»al air centers of the planet where, as it is re- 
sed, contact with the ether of space transforms 
nto atmosphere. 

There is always sufficient reserve of the ninth 
j stored in the great building to maintain the 
jsent Martian atmosphere for a thousand years, 
i the only fear, as my new friend told me, was 
it some accident might befall the pumping 
paratus. 


[225] 





A PRINCESS OF MARS 


He led me to an inner chamber where I behe 
a battery of twenty radium pumps any one 
which was equal to the task of furnishing all Ma 
with the atmosphere compound. For eig 
hundred years, he told me, he had watched the 
pumps which are used alternately a day each at 
stretch, or a little over twenty-four and one-ha 
Earth hours. He has one assistant who divid 
the watch with him. Half a Martian year, abo 
three hundred and forty-four of our days, eai 
of these men spend alone in this huge, isolat< 
plant. 

Every red Martian is taught during earlie 
childhood the principles of the manufacture < 
atmosphere, but only two at one time ever ho 
the secret of ingress to the great building, whic 
built as it is with walls a hundred and fifty fe 
thick, is absolutely unassailable, even the ro« 
being guarded from assault by air craft by a gla 
covering five feet thick. 

The only fear they entertain of attack is fro 
the green Martians or some demented red ma 
as all Barsoomians realize that the very existen 
of every form of life on Mars is dependent up< 
the uninterrupted working of this plant. 

One curious fact I discovered as I watched 1 
[226] 




THE OLD MAN SAT AND TALKED WITH ME FOR HOURS. 

Page 224 











* 



<• 


f. 























IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


thoughts was that the outer doors are manipulated 
by telepathic means. The locks are so finely 
adjusted that the doors are released by the action 
of a certain combination of thought waves. To 
experiment with my new-found toy I thought to 
surprise him into revealing this combination and 
so I asked him in a casual manner how he had 
managed to unlock the massive doors for me from 
the inner chambers of the building. As quick as 
a flash there leaped to his mind nine Martian 
sounds, but as quickly faded as he answered that 
this was a secret he must not divulge. 

From then on his manner toward me changed 
as though he feared that he had been surprised 
into divulging his great secret, and I read sus¬ 
picion and fear in his looks and thoughts, though 
his words were still fair. 

Before I retired for the night he promised to 
give me a letter to a near-by agricultural officer 
who would help me on my way to Zodanga, which 
he said, was the nearest Martian city. 

“ But be sure that you do not let them know 
you are bound for Helium as they are at war with 
that country. My assistant and I are of no 
country, we belong to all Barsoom and this talis¬ 
man which we wear protects us in all lands, even 
[227] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


among the green men — though we do not tru: 
ourselves to their hands if we can avoid it,” h 
added. 

“ And so good-night, my friend,” he continuec 
“may you have a long and restful sleep—yes, 
long sleep.” 

And though he smiled pleasantly I saw in hi 
thoughts the wish that he had never admitted m< 
and then a picture of him standing over me in th 
night, and the swift thrust of a long dagger an 
the half formed words, “I am sorry, but it is fc 
the best good of Barsoom.” 

As he closed the door of my chamber behin 
him his thoughts were cut off from me as was th 
sight of him, which seemed strange to me in m 
little knowledge of thought transference. 

What was I to do? How could I escap 
through these mighty walls? Easily could I ki 
him now that I was warned, but once he was dea 
I could no more escape, and with the stopping c 
the machinery of the great plant I should die wit 
all the other inhabitants of the planet—all, eve 
Dejah Thoris were she not already dead. Fc 
the others I did not give the snap of my finge 
but the thought of Dejah Thoris drove from ir 
mind all desire to kill my mistaken host. 

[228] 



IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


Cautiously I opened the door of my apartment 
nd, followed by Woola, sought the inner of the 
;reat doors. A wild scheme had come to me; I 
70uld attempt to force the great locks by the nine 
hought waves I had read in my host’s mind. 

Creeping stealthily through corridor after cor- 
idor and down winding runways which turned 
ither and thither I finally reached the great hall 
1 which I had broken my long fast that morning, 
lowhere had I seen my host, nor did I know 
here he kept himself by night. 

I was on the point of stepping boldly out into 
le room when a slight noise behind me warned 
le back into the shadows of a recess in the cor¬ 
don Dragging Woola after me I crouched low 
i the darkness. 

Presently the old man passed close by me, and 
ss he entered the dimly lighted chamber which 
i had been about to pass through I saw that he 
bid a long thin dagger in his hand and that he 
’as sharpening it upon a stone. In his mind was 
lie decision to inspect the radium pumps, which 
^ould take about thirty minutes, and then return 
t my bed chamber and finish me. 

As he passed through the great hall and disap- 
pared down the runway which led to the pump- 
[229] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


room, I stole stealthily from my hiding place a 
crossed to the great door, the inner of the thi 
which stood between me and liberty. 

Concentrating my mind upon the massive lc 
I hurled the nine thought waves against it. 
breathless expectancy I waited, when finally t 
great door moved softly toward me and slid quie 
to one side. One after the other the remaini 
mighty portals opened at my command and Woe 
and I stepped forth into the darkness, free, t 
little better off than we had been before, otf 
than that we had full stomachs. 

Hastening away from the shadows of the f< 
midable pile I made for the first crossroad, inter 
ing to strike the central turnpike as quickly 
possible. This I reached about morning a: 
entering the first enclosure I came to I search 
for some evidences of a habitation. 

There were low rambling buildings of concn 
barred with heavy impassable doors, and 
amount of hammering and hallooing brought a 
-response. Weary and exhausted from sleeple 
ness I threw myself upon the ground commandi 
Woola to stand guard. 

Some time later I was awakened by his frighti 
growlings and opened my eyes to see three r 
[230] 



IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


Martians standing a short distance from us and 
:overing me with their rifles. 

“I am unarmed and no enemy,” I hastened to 
explain. “ I have been a prisoner among the green 
nen and am on my way to Zodanga. All I ask 
s food and rest for myself and my calot and the 
>roper directions for reaching my destination.” 

They lowered their rifles and advanced pleas- 
mtly toward me placing their right hands upon 
ny left shoulder, after the manner of their custom 
)f salute, and asking me many questions about 
nyself and my wanderings. They then took me 
o the house of one of them which was only a 
hort distance away. 

The buildings I had been hammering at in the 
:arly morning were occupied only by stock and 
arm produce, the house proper standing among a 
'rove of enormous trees, and, like all red-Mar- 
ian homes, had been raised at night some forty 
>r fifty feet from the ground on a large round 
netal shaft which slid up or down within a sleeve 
unk in the ground, and was operated by a tiny 
•adium engine in the entrance hall of the building, 
nstead of bothering with bolts and bars for their 
iwellings, the red Martians simply run them up 
>ut of harm’s way during the night. They also 

[ 231 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


have private means 'for lowering or raising the 
from the ground without if they wish to go aw; 
and leave them. 

These brothers, with their wives and childre 
occupied three similar houses on this farm. Thi 
did no work themselves, being government office 
in charge. The labor was performed by convict 
prisoners of war, delinquent debtors and confirm< 
bachelors who were too poor to pay the hi^ 
celibate tax which all red-Martian governmen 
impose. 

They were the personification of cordiality ai 
hospitality and I spent several days with ther 
resting and recuperating from my long and arduo 
experiences. 

When they had heard my story—I omitted 2 
reference to Dejah Thoris and the old man of t3 
atmosphere plant—they advised me to color n 
body to more nearly resemble their own race ai 
then attempt to find employment in Zodang 
either in the army or the navy. 

“The chances are small that your tale will 1 
believed until after you have proven your tru: 
worthiness and won friends among the high 
nobles of the court. This you can most easily < 
through military service, as we are a warlil 

[232] 



IN THE ATMOSPHERE FACTORY 


>eople on Barsoom,” explained one of them, “ and 
ave our richest favors for the fighting man.” 

When I was ready to depart they furnished me 
vith a small domestic bull thoat, such as is used 
'or saddle purposes by all red Martians. The 
mimal is about the size of a horse and quite gentle, 
>ut in color and shape an exact replica of his huge 
.nd fierce cousin of the wilds. 

The brothers had supplied me with a reddish 
>il with which I anointed my entire body and one 
>f them cut my hair, which had grown quite long, 
a the prevailing fashion of the time, square at the 
iack and banged in front, so that I could have 
rnssed anywhere upon Barsoom as a full-fledged 
ed Martian. My metal and ornaments were also 
enewed in the style of a Zodangan gentleman, 
tttached to the house of Ptor, which was the 
amily name of my benefactors. 

They filled a little sack at my side with Zodangan 
noney. The medium of exchange upon Mars is 
ot dissimilar from our own except that the coins 
,re oval. Paper money is issued by individuals 
s they require it and redeemed twice yearly. If 
. man issues more than he can redeem, the govern- 
aent pays his creditors in full and the debtor 
forks out the amount upon the farms or in mines, 
[ 2.33 1 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


.which are all owned by the government. '1 
suits everybody except the debtor as it has t 
a difficult thing to obtain sufficient voluntary la 
to work the great isolated farm lands of M 
stretching as they do like narrow ribbons f] 
pole to pole, through wild stretches peopled 
wild animals and wilder men. 

When I mentioned my inability to repay tl 
for their kindness to me they assured me th; 
would have ample opportunity if I lived long u 
Barsoom, and bidding me farewell they watc 
me until I was out of sight upon the broad w 
turnpike. 


[234] 



I f 

i 

CHAPTER XXI 

AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 

A S I proceeded on my journey toward Zodanga 

^many strange and interesting sights arrested 

ny attention, and at the several farm houses where 

[ stopped I learned a number of new and instruc¬ 
ts.. . . - 

ive things concerning the methods and manners 
)f Barsoom. 

The water which supplies the farms of Mars 
s collected in immense underground reservoirs at 
;ither pole from the melting ice caps, and pumped 
hrough long conduits to the various populated 
enters. Along either side of these conduits, and 
extending their entire length, lie the cultivated dis- 
iriets. These are divided into tracts of about the 
lame size, each tract being under *the supervision 
)f one or more government officers. 

Instead of flooding the surface of the fields, and 
:hus wasting immense quantities of water by evap- 
Dration, the precious liquid is carried underground 
:hrough a vast network of small pipes directly to 
ffie roots of the vegetation. The crops upon Marf 

E 235 ] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


are always uniform, for there are no droughts, 
rains, no high winds, and no insects, or destroyi 
: birds. 

On this trip I tasted the first meat I had eat 
since leaving Earth—large, juicy steaks and ehc 
from the well fed domestic animals of the farn 
Also I enjoyed luscious fruits and vegetables, t 
not a single article of food which was exactly si 
ilar to anything on Earth. Every plant and flovs 
and vegetable and animal has been so refined 
ages of careful, scientific cultivation and breedi 
that the like of them on Earth dwindled into pa 
gray, characterless nothingness by comparison. 

At a second stop I met some highly cultivat 
people of the noble class and while in conversati 
we chanced to speak of Helium. One of the ole 
men had been there on a diplomatic mission sevej 
years before and spoke with regret of the con 
tions which seemed destined ever to keep these F 
countries at war. 

“Helium,” he said, “rightly boasts the nn 
beautiful women of Barsoom, and of all 1 
treasures the wondrous daughter of Mors Kajj 
Dejah Thoris, is the most exquisite flower. 

“Why,” he added, “the people really worsl 
the ground she walks upon and since her loss 

[236] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


! at ill-starred expedition all Helium has been 
raped in mourning. 

“ That our ruler should have attacked the dis¬ 
ced fleet as it was returning to Helium was but 
mother of his awful blunders which I fear will 
loner or later compel Zodanga to elevate a 
user man to his place. 

“Even now, though our victorious armies are 
grounding Helium, the people of Zodanga are 
oicing their displeasure, for the war is not a 
:>pular one, since it is not based on right or jus- 
::e. Our forces took advantage of the absence 
’ the principal fleet of Helium on their search 
r the princess, and so we have been able easily 
reduce the city to a sorry plight. It is said she 
ill fall within the next few passages of the 
rther moon.” 

“And what, think you, may have been the fate 
: the princess, Dejah Thoris?” I asked as 
.sually as possible. 

“She is dead,” he answered. “This much was 
arned from a green warrior recently captured 
f our forces in the south. She escaped from the 
Drdes of Thark with a strange creature of another 
orld, only to fall into the hands of the Warhoons. 
heir thoats were found wandering upon the 
[ 237 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


bottom and evidences of a bloody conflict w 
discovered near-by.” 

While this information was in no way reass 
ing, neither was it at all conclusive proof of 
death of Dejah Thoris, and so I determined 
make every effort possible to reach Helium 
quickly as I could and carry to Tardos Mors s 
news of his granddaughter’s possible whereabc 
as lay in my power. 

Ten days after leaving the three Ptor brod 
I arrived at Zodanga. From the moment ths 
had come in contact with the red inhabitants 
Mars I had noticed that Woola drew a gi 
amount of unwelcome attention to me, since 
huge brute belonged to a species which is ne 
domesticated by the red men. Were one to st 
down Broadway with a Numidian lion at his h 
the effect would be somewhat similar to that wl 
I should have produced had I entered Zoda 
with Woola. 

The very thought of parting with the faitl 
fellow caused me so great regret and genuine 
row that I put it off until just before we arrive 
the city’s gates; but then, finally, it became imp 
!tive that we separate. Had nothing further t 
my own safety or pleasure been at stake no a 

[233] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA * 


lent could have prevailed upon me to turn away 
he one creature upon Barsoom that had never 
ailed in a demonstration of affection and loyalty; 
ut as I would willingly have offered my life in 
he service of her in search of whom I was about 
o challenge the unknown dangers of this, to me, 
lysterious city, I could not permit even Woola’s 
ie to threaten the success of my venture, much 
*ss his momentary happiness, for I doubted not 
e soon would forget me. And so I bade the poor 
east an affectionate farewell, promising him, 
owever, that if I came through my adventure in 
afety that in some way I should find the means to 
earch him out. 

He seemed to understand me fully, and when I 
•ointed back in the direction of Thark he turned 
orrowfully away, nor could I bear to watch him 
;o; but resolutely set my face toward Zodanga 
nd with a touch of heartsickness approached her 
rowning walls. 

The letter I bore from them gained me imme- 
Liate entrance to the vast, walled eity. It was 
till very early in the morning and the streets 
yere practically deserted. The residences, raised 
ligh upon their metal columns, resembled huge 
ookeries, while the uprights themselves presented 

[239] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


the appearance of steel tree trunks. The shoj 
as a rule were not raised from the ground n< 
were their doors bolted or barred, since thieve] 
is practically unknown upon Barsoom. Assassin 
tion is the ever present fear of all Barsoomian 
and for this reason alone their homes are rais« 
high above the ground at night, or in times c 
danger. 

The Ptor brothers had given me explicit dire 
tions for reaching the point of the city where 
could find living accommodations and be near tl 
offices of the government agents to whom the 
had given me letters. My way led to the centr; 
square or plaza, which is a characteristic of a 
Martian cities. 

The plaza of Zodanga covers a square mile an 
is bounded by the palaces of the jeddak, the jed 
and other members of the royalty and nobility c 
Zodanga, as well as by the principal public buil< 
ings, cafes, and shops. 

As I was crossing the great square lost in wondc 
and admiration of the magnificent architects 
and the gorgeous scarlet vegetation which carpete 
the broad lawns I discovered a red Martian wall 
ing briskly toward me from one of the avenue 
He paid not the slightest attention to me, but j 
[240] 


I 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


i came abreast I recognized him, and turning I 
iced my hand upon his shoulder, calling out: 

“ Kaor, Kantos Kan I ” 

Like lightning he wheeled and before I could 
much as lower my hand the point of his long- 
ord was at my breast. 

“Who are you?” he growled, and then as a 
ckward leap carried me fifty feet from his sword 
dropped the point to the ground and exclaimed, 
ighing, 

“ I do not need a better reply, there is but one 
in upon all Barsoom who can bounce about like 
ubber ball. By the mother of the further moon, 
hn Carter, how came you here, and have you 
x>me a Darseen that you can change your color 
will ? 

“ You gave me a bad half minute my friend,” 
continued, after I had briefly outlined my adven- 
*es since parting with him in the arena at War- 
on*. “Were my name and city known to the 
dangans I would shortly be sitting on the banks 
the lost sea of Korus with my revered and 
parted ancestors. I am here in the interests of 
irdos Mors, Jeddak of Helium, to discover the 
lereabouts of Dejah Thoris, our princess. Sab 
tan, prince of Zodanga, has her hidden in the 

[mo 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


city and has fallen madly in love with her. 
father, Than Kosis, Jeddak of Zodanga, has n 
her voluntary marriage to his son the pric 
peace between our countries, but Tardos IN 
will not accede to the demands and has sent t 
that he and his people would rather look upor 
dead face of their princess than see her we 
any than her own choice, and that personal! 
would prefer being engulfed in the ashes of a 
and burning Helium to joining the metal oi 
house with that of Than Kosis. His reply 
the deadliest affront he could have put upon 1 
Kosis and the Zodangans, but his people love 
the more for it and his strength in Heliui 
greater today than ever. 

“ I have been here three days,” continued ] 
tos Kan, “but I have not yet found where D 
Thoris is imprisoned. Today I join the Zodai 
navy as an air scout and I hope in this way to 
the confidence of Sab Than, the prince, wb 
commander of this division of the navy, and 
learn the whereabouts of Dejah Thoris. I 
glad that you are here, John Carter, for I k 
your loyalty to my princess and two of us wor 
together should be able to accomplish much.” 

The plaza was now commencing to fill 
[242] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


ople going and coming upon the daily activities 
their duties. The shops were opening and the 
fes filling with early morning patrons. Kantos 
m led me to one of these gorgeous eating places 
lere we were served entirely by mechanical appa- 
tus. No hand touched the food from the time 
entered the building in its raw state until it 
lerged hot and delicious upon the tables before 
e guests, in response to the touching of tiny 
ttons to indicate their desires. 

After our meal, Kantos Kan took me with him 
the headquarters of the air-scout squadron and 
:roducing me to his superior asked that I be 
rolled as a member of the corps. In accord- 
ce with custom an examination was necessary, 
t Kantos Kan had told me to have no fear on 
is score as he would attend to that part of the 
itter. He accomplished this by taking my order 
r examination to the examining officer and repe¬ 
ating himself as John Carter. 

“This ruse will be discovered later,” he cheer¬ 
ily explained, “ when they check up my weights, 
?asurements, and other personal identification 
ta, but it will be several months before this is 
»ne and our mission should be accomplished or 
ve failed long before that time.” 

[243] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


The next few days were spent by Kantos I 
in teaching me the intricacies of flying and 
repairing the dainty little contrivances which 
Martians use for this purpose. The body of 
one-man air craft is about sixteen feet long, t 
feet wide and three inches thick, tapering t< 
point at each end. The driver sits on top of i 
plane upon a seat constructed over the small, no 
less radium engine which propels it. The medi 
of buoyancy is contained within the thin m< 
walls of the body and consists of the eighth E 
soomian ray, or ray of propulsion, as it may 
termed in view of its properties. 

This ray, like the ninth ray, is unknown 
Earth, but the Martians have discovered that i 
an inherent property of all light no matter fi 
what source it emanates. They have learned t 
it is the solar eighth ray which propels the li 
of the sun to the various planets, and that i 
the individual eighth ray of each planet wl 
“ reflects,” or propels the light thus obtained 
into space once more. The solar eighth ray wc 
be absorbed by the surface of Barsoom, but 
Barsoomian eighth ray, which tends to propel li 
from Mars into space, is constantly streaming 
from the planet constituting a force of repuh 

[244] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


■f gravity which when confined is able to lift enor- 
ious weights from the surface of the ground. 

It is this ray which has enabled them to so per- 
ect aviation that battle ships far outweighing any- 
hing known upon Earth sail as gracefully and 
ightly through the thin air of Barsoom as a toy 
alloon in the heavy atmosphere of Earth. 

During the early years of the discovery of this 
ay many strange accidents occurred before the 
vlartians learned to measure and control the won- 
lerful power they had found. In one instance, 
ome nine hundred years before, the first great 
iattle ship to he built with eighth ray reservoirs 
yas stored with too great a quantity of the rays 
nd she had sailed up from Helium with five 
lundred officers and men, never to return. 

Her power of repulsion for the planet was so 
;reat that it had carried her far into space, where 
he can be seen today, by the aid of powerful tele¬ 
copes, hurtling through the heavens ten thousand 
niles from Mars; a tiny satellite that will thus 
:ncircle Barsoom to the end of time. 

The fourth day after my arrival at Zodanga 
’ made my first flight, and as a result of it I won 
t promotion which included quarters in the palace 
)f Than Kosis. 

T 245 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


’As I rose above the city I circled several time 
as I had seen Kantos Kan do, and then throwii 
my engine into top speed I raced at terrific veloci 
toward the south, following one of the great wate 
ways which enter Zodanga from that directio 

I had traversed perhaps two hundred mil 
in a little less than an hour when I descried f 
below me a party of three green warriors racii 
madly toward a small figure on foot which seem< 
to be trying to reach the confines of one of tl 
walled fields. 

Dropping my machine rapidly toward thei 
and circling to the rear of the warriors, I so< 
saw that the object of their pursuit was a r< 
Martian wearing the metal of the scout squadn 
to which I was attached. A short distance aw; 
lay his tiny flier, surrounded by the tools wi 
which he had evidently been occupied in repairii 
some damage when surprised by the gre 
warriors. 

They were now almost upon him; their flyii 
mounts charging down on the relatively puny figu 
at terrific speed, while the warriors leaned lc 
to the right, with their great metal-shod speai 
Each seemed striving to be the first to impale t 
poor Zodangan and in another moment his fa 

[246] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


rould have been sealed had it not been for my 
mely arrival. 

Driving my fleet air craft at high speed directly 
ehind the warriors I soon overtook them and 
'ithout diminishing my speed I rammed the prow 
f my little flier between the shoulders of the 
rarest. The impact sufficient to have torn through 
iches of solid steel, hurled the fellow’s headless 
ody into the air over the head of his thoat, where 

fell sprawling upon the moss. The mounts of 
le other two warriors turned squealing in terror, 
nd bolted in opposite directions. 

Reducing my speed I circled and came to the 
round at the feet of the astonished Zodangan. 
le was warm in his thanks for my timely aid and 
romised that my day’s work would bring the 
eward it merited, for it was none other than a 
ousin of the jeddak of Zodanga whose life I had 
aved. 

We wasted no time in talk as we knew that the 
warriors would surely return as soon as they had 
;ained control of their mounts. Hastening to his 
lamaged machine we were bending every effort to 
nish the needed repairs and had almost completed 
hem when we saw the two green monsters return- 
lg at top speed from opposite sides of us. When 

[247] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


they had approached within a hundred yards the 
thoats again became unmanageable and absolute 
refused to advance further toward the air era 
which had frightened them. 

The warriors finally dismounted and hobblii 
their animals advanced toward us on foot wi 
drawn long-swords. I advanced to meet tl 
laiger, telling the Zodangan to do the best he cou 
with the other. Finishing my man with almc 
no effort, as had now from much practice becon 
habitual with me, I hastened to return to my ne 
acquaintance whom I found indeed in despera 
straits. 

He was wounded and down with the huge fo 
of his antagonist upon his throat and the gre 
long-sword raised to deal the final thrust. Wi 
a bound I cleared the fifty feet intervening betwe 
us, and with out-stretched point drove my swo 
completely through the body of the green warric 
His sword fell, harmless, to the ground and j 
sank limply upon the prostrate form of t 
Zodangan. 

A cursory examination of the latter revealed i 
mortal injuries and after a brief rest he assert 
that he felt fit to attempt the return voyage. I 
would have to pilot his own craft, however, 
[248] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


bese frail vessels are not intended to convey but- 

single person. 

Quickly completing the repairs we rose together 
ito the still, cloudless Martian sky, and at great 
peed and without further mishap returned to 
'odanga. 

As we neared the city we discovered a mighty 
oncourse of civilians and troops assembled upon 
be plain before the city. The sky was black with 
aval vessels and private and public pleasure craft, 
ying long streamers of gay-colored silks, and ban- 
ers and flags of odd and picturesque design. 

My companion signaled that I slow down, and 
unning his machine close beside mine suggested 
bat we approach and watch the ceremony, which, 
e said, was for the purpose of conferring honors 
n individual officers and men for bravery and 
•ther distinguished service. He then unfurled a 
ittle ensign which denoted that his craft bore a 
nember of the royal family of Zodanga, and 
ogether we made our way through the maze of 
ow-lying air vessels until we hung directly over 
he jeddak of Zodanga and his staff. All were 
nounted upon the small domestic bull thoats of the 
•ed Martians, and their trappings and ornamenta- 
ion bore such a quantity of gorgeously colored 

[249] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


feathers that I could not but be struck with t 
startling resemblance the concourse bore to a ba 
of the red Indians of my own Earth. 

One of the staff called the attention of Th 
Kosis to the presence of my companion abo 
i them and the ruler motioned for him to descer 
As they waited for the troops to move into po 
tion facing the jeddak the two talked earnes 
together, the jeddak and his staff occasiona 
glancing up at me. I could not hear their convi 
sation and presently it ceased and all dismount 
as the last body of troops had wheeled into po 
tion before their emperor. A member of the st 
advanced toward the troops, and calling the nai 
of a soldier commanded him to advance. T 
officer then recited the nature of the heroic ; 
which had won the approval of the jeddak, a 
the latter advanced and placed a metal orname 
upon the left arm of the lucky man. 

Ten men had been so decorated when the < 
called out, 

“John Carter, air scout! ” 

Never in my life had I been so surprised, l 
the habit of military discipline is strong within n 
and I dropped my little machine lightly to t 
ground and advanced on foot as I had seen 1 

[250] 



AN AIR SCOUT FOR ZODANGA 


ithers do. As I halted before the officer, ta 
ddressed me in a voice audible to the entire 
ssemblage of troops and spectators. 

“In recognition, John Carter,” he said, “of 
our remarkable courage and skill in defending 
be person of the cousin of the jeddak Than Kosis 
nd, single-handed, vanquishing three green war- 
iors, it is the pleasure of our jeddak to confer 
n you the mark of his esteem.” 

Than Kosis then advanced toward me and plac- 
1 g an ornament upon me, said: 

“ My cousin has narrated the details of your 
wonderful achievement, which seems little short 
f miraculous, and if you can so well defend a 
ousin of the jeddak how much better could you 
efend the person of the jeddak himself. You are 
lerefore appointed a padwar of The Guards and 
ill be quartered in my palace hereafter.” 

I thanked him, and at his direction joined the 
lembers of his staff. After the ceremony I 
eturned my machine to its quarters on the roof 
f the barracks of the air-scout squadron, and 
nth an orderly from the palace to guide me I 
eported to the officer in charge of the palace. 


[251 ] 



CHAPTER XXII 


I FIND DEJAH 


T HE major-domo to whom I reported ha 
been given instructions to station me nea 
the person of the jeddak, who, in time of war, 
always in great danger of assassination, as th 
rule that all is fair in war seems to constitute th 
entire ethics of Martian conflict. 

He therefore escorted me immediately to th 
apartment in which Than Kosis then was. TI 
ruler was engaged in conversation with his soi 
Sab Than, and several courtiers of his househoh 
and did not perceive my entrance. 

The walls of the apartment were complete! 
hung with splendid tapestries which hid any wii 
dows or doors which may have pierced them. Tt 
room was lighted by imprisoned rays of sunshir 
held between the ceiling proper and what appeare 
to be a ground glass false ceiling a few inchi 
below. 

My guide drew aside one of the tapestries, di 
closing a passage which encircled the roor 
[252] 


I FIND DEJAH 


;tween the hangings and the walls of the cham- 
:r. Within this passage I was to remain, he 
id, so long as Than Kosis was in the apartment. 
T'hen he left I was to follow. My only duty 
as to guard the ruler and keep out of sight as 
uch as possible. I would be relieved after a 
:riod of four hours. The major-domo then 
ft me. 

The tapestries were of a strange weaving which 
ive the appearance of heavy solidity from one 
de, but from my hiding place I could perceive 
1 that took place within the room as readily as 
ough there had been no curtain intervening. 
Scarcely had I gained my post than the tapestry 
the opposite end of the chamber separated and 
ur soldiers of The Guard entered, surrounding 
female figure. As they approached Than Kosis 
e soldiers fell to either side and there standing 
fore the jeddak and not ten feet from me, her 
autiful face radiant with smiles, was Dejah 
boris. 

Sab Than, Prince of Zodanga, advanced to meet 
r, and hand in hand they approached close to 
e jeddak. Than Kosis looked up in surprise, 
id, rising, saluted her. 

“To*what strange freak do I owe this visit 

[253] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


from the Princess of Helium, who, two days a£ 
with rare consideration for my pride, assured i 
that she would prefer Tal Hajus, the green Tha] 
to my son?” 

Dejah Thoris only smiled the more and wi 
the roguish dimples playing at the corners of h 
mouth she made answer: 

“ From the beginning of time upon Barsoom 
has been the prerogative of woman to change h 
mind as she listed and to dissemble in matters cc 
cerning her heart. That you will forgive, Th 
Kosis, as has your son. Two days ago I was n 
sure of his love for me, but now I am, and I ha 
come to beg of you to forget my rash words ai 
to accept the assurance of the Princess of Helii 
that when the time comes she will wed Sab Tha 
Prince of Zodanga.” 

“ I am glad that you have so decided,” repli 
Than Kosis. “ It is far from my desire to pu 
war further against the people of Helium, ar 
your promise shall be recorded and a proclamati 
to my people issued forthwith.” 

“It were better, Than Kosis,” interrupt 
Dejah Thoris, ‘‘that the proclamation wait t 
ending of this war. It would look strange inde 
to my people and to yours were the Princess 

[254] 



I FIND DEJAH 


lelium to give herself to her country’s enemy in 
le midst of hostilities.” 

“Cannot the war be ended at once?” spoke 
ab Than. “ It requires but the word of Than 
:osis to bring peace. Say it my father, say the 
ord that will hasten my happiness, and end this 
npopular strife.” 

“We shall see,” replied Than Kosis, “how the 
eople of Helium take to peace. I shall at least 
ffer it to them.” 

Dejah Thoris, after a few words, turned and 
ft the apartment, still followed by her guards. 
Thus was the edifice of my brief dream of 
appiness dashed, broken, to the ground of reality, 
he woman for whom I had offered my life, and 
■om whose lips I had so recently heard a declara- 
on of love for me, had lightly forgotten my very 
dstence and smilingly given herself to the son of 
“r people’s most hated enemy. 

'Although I had heard it with my own ears I 
>uld not believe it. I must search out her apart- 
ents and force her to repeat the cruel truth to 
e alone before I would be convinced, and so I 
verted my post and hastened through the pas- 
ige behind the tapestries toward the door by 
hich she had left the chamber. Slipping quietly 
[ 255 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


through this opening I discovered a maze of wini 
ing corridors, branching and turning in evei 
direction. 

Running rapidly down first one and then anoth< 
of them I soon became hopelessly lost and wj 
standing panting against a side wall when I hear 
voices near me. Apparently they were comin 
from the opposite side of the partition again: 
which I leaned and presently I made out the tom 
of Dejah Thoris. I could not hear the words bi 
I knew that I could not possibly be mistaken i 
the voice. 

Moving on a few steps I discovered anothc 
passage-way at the end of which lay a doo: 
Walking boldly forward I pushed into the rooi 
only to find myself in a small ante chamber i 
which were the four guards who had accompanie 
her. One of them instantly arose and accoste 
me, asking the nature of my business. 

“ I am from Than Kosis,” I replied, “ and wis 
to speak privately with Dejah Thoris, Princess c 
Helium.” 

“And your order?” asked the fellow. 

I did not know what he meant, but replied th 
I was a member of The Guard, and without wa; 
ing for a reply from him I strode toward tl 
[256] 



1 FIND DEJAH 

1 - — _ ._ _ _ _ _ 

pposite door of the ante chamber, behind which 
could hear Dejah Thoris conversing. 

But my entrance was not to be so easily accom- 
lished. The guardsman stepped before me, 
aying, 

f “ No one comes from Than Kosis without carry- 
lg an order or the pass word. You must give 
le one or the other before you may pass.” 

“ The only order I require, my friend, to enter 
'here I will, hangs at my side,” I answered, tap¬ 
ing my long-sword; “ will you let me pass in peace 
r no?” 

For reply he whipped out his own sword, call- 
ig to the others to join him, and thus the four 
tood, with drawn weapons, barring my further 
Togress. 

“ You are not here by the order of Than Kosis,” 
ried the one who had first addressed me, “ and 
ot only s'hall you not enter the apartments of the 
’rincess of Helium but you shall go back to Than 
iosis under guard to explain this unwarranted 
imerity. Throw down your sword; you cannot 
ope to overcome four of us,” he added with a 
rim smile. 

My reply was a quick thrust which left me but 
iree antagonists and I can assure you that they 

[257] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


were worthy of my metal. They had me back< 
against the wall in no time, fighting for my lif 
Slowly I worked my way to a corner of the roo 
where I could force them to come at me only 01 
( at a time, and thus we fought upward of twen 
minutes; the clanging of steel on steel producir 
a veritable bedlam in the little room. 

The noise had brought Dejah Thoris to tl 
door of her apartment, and there she stoc 
throughout the conflict with Sola at her back pee 
ing over her shoulder. Her face was set ar 
emotionless and I knew that she did not recognii 
me, nor did Sola. 

Finally a lucky cut brought down a secon 
guardsman and then, with only two opposing m 
I changed my tactics and rushed them down afti 
the fashion of my fighting that had won me mar 
a victory. The third fell within ten seconds afti 
the second, and the last lay dead upon the blooc 
floor a few moments later. They were brave me 
and noble fighters, and it grieved me that I ha 
been forced to kill them, but I would have wil 
ingly depopulated all Barsoom could I ha> 
reached the side of my Dejah Thoris in no othe 
way. 

Sheathing my bloody blade I advanced towai 
[258] 



I FIND DEJAH 


y Martian Princess, who still stood mutely 
zing at me without sign of recognition. 

“Who are you, Zodangan?” she whispered. 
\nother enemy to harass me in my misery?” 
“ I am a friend,” I answered, “ a once cherished 
end.” 

“No friend of Helium’s princess wears that 
;tal,” she replied, “ and yet the voice! I have 
ard it before; it is not — it cannot be — no, 
r he is dead.” 

“It is, though, my Princess, none other than 
hn Carter,” I said. “ Do you not recognize, 
en through paint and strange metal, the heart 
your chieftain?” 

As I came close to her she swayed toward me 
th outstretched hands, but as I reached to take 
r in my arms she drew back with a shudder and 
ittle moan of misery. 

“Too late, too late,” she grieved. “O my 
ieftain that was, and whom I thought dead, had 
u but returned one little hour before — but now 
is too late, too late.” 

“ What do you mean, Dejah Thoris?” I cried. 
Fhat you would not have promised yourself to 
e Zodangan prince had you known that I 
ed?” 


[259] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“Think you, John Carter, that I would give 
heart to you yesterday and today to another? 
thought that it lay buried with your ashes in 
pits of Warhoon, and so today I have promii 
my body to another to save my people from 
curse of a victorious Zodangan army.” 

“ But I am not dead, my princess. I have co 
to claim you, and all Zodanga cannot prevent i 

“ It is too late, John Carter, my promise 
given, and on Barsoom that is final. The ce 
monies which follow later are but meaningl 
formalities. They make the fact of marriage 
more certain than does the funeral cortege oi 
jeddak again place the seal of death upon hi 
I am as good as married, John Carter. No lonj 
may you call me your princess. No longer are j 
my chieftain.” 

“ I know but little of your customs here up 
Barsoom, Dejah Thoris, but I do knowthal 
love you, and if you meant the last words > 
spoke to me that day as the hordes of Warhc 
were charging down upon us, no other man sb 
ever claim you as his bride. You meant them th 
my princess, and you mean them still! Say tl 
it is true.” 

“ I meant them, John Carter,” she whisper 
[260] 



I FIND DEJAH 


I cannot repeat them now for I have given 
lyself to another. Ah, if you had only known 
ur ways, my friend,” she continued, half to her- 
elf, “the promise would have been yours long 
lonths ago, and you could have claimed me before 

II others. It might have meant the fall of 
lelium, but I would have given my empire for 
ly Tharkian chief.” 

Then aloud she said: “Do you remember the 
ight when you offended me ? You called me your 
irincess without having asked my hand of me, 
nd then you boasted that you had fought for me. 
r ou did not know, and I should not have been 
ffended; I see that now. But there was no one 
o tell you, what I could not, that upon Barsoom 
here are two kinds of women in the cities of the 
ed men. The one they fight for that they may 
sk them in marriage; the other kind they fight 
or also, but never ask their hands. When a man 
as won a woman he may address her as his prim 
ess, or in any of the several terms which signify 
ossession. You had fought for me, but had 
ever asked me in marriage, and so when you 
ailed me your princess, you see,” she faltered, “I 
r as hurt, but even then, John Carter, I did not 
spulse you, as I should have done, until you made 
[261] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


it doiably worse by taunting me with having wc 
me through combat.” 

“ I do not need ask your forgiveness now, Dejz 
Thoris,” I cried. “ You must know that my fan 
was of ignorance of your Barsoomian custom 
What I failed to do, through implicit belief th; 
my petition would be presumptious and unwe 
come, I do now, Dejah Thoris; I ask you to 1 
my wife, and by all the Virginian fighting bloc 
that flows in my veins you shall be.” 

“No, John Carter, it is useless,” she cric 
hopelessly, “ I may never be yours while Sab Tha 
lives.” 

“You have sealed his death warrant, my pri: 
cess — Sab Than dies.” 

“ Nor that either,” she hastened to explain. “ 
may not wed the man who slays my husband, ev< 
in self-defense. It is custom. We are ruled t 
custom upon Barsoom. It is useless, my frien 
You must bear the sorrow with me. That at lea 
we may share in common. That, and the mer 
ory of the brief days among the Tharks. Yc 
must go now, nor ever see me again. Good-by 
my chieftain that was.” 

Disheartened and dejected, I withdrew from tl 
room, but I was not entirely discouraged, n< 
[ 262 ] 



I FIND DEJAH 


r °uld I admit that Dejah Thorls was lost to me 
ntil the ceremony had actually been performed. 

As I wandered along the corridors, I was as 
bsolutely lost in the mazes of winding passage- 
r ays as I had been before I discovered Dejah 
'horis’ apartments. 

I knew that my only hope lay in escape from 
le city of Zodanga, for the matter of the four 
ead guardsmen would have to be explained, and 
s I could never reach my original post without 
guide, suspicion would surely rest on me so soon 
3 I was discovered wandering aimlessly through 
le palace. 

Presently I came upon a spiral runway leading 
> a lower floor, and this 1 followed downward 
)r several stories until I reached the doorway 
f a large apartment in which were a number of 
jardsmen. The walls of this room were hung 
ith transparent tapestries behind which I 
:creted myself without being apprehended. 

The conversation of the guardsmen was general, 
id awakened no interest in me until an officer 
itered the room and ordered four of the men to 
ilieve the detail who were guarding the Princess 
! Helium. Now, I knew, my troubles would 
immence in earnest and indeed they were upon 
[263 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


me all too soon, for It seemed that the squ 
had scarcely left the guardroom before one 
their number burst In again breathlessly, cryi 
that they had found their four comrades butcher 
in the ante-chamber. 

In a moment the entire palace was alive w; 
people. Guardsmen, officers, courtiers, servan 
and slaves ran helter skelter through the corridc 
and apartments carrying messages and orders, a 
searching for signs of the assassin. 

This was my opportunity and slim as it appear 
I grasped it, for as a number of soldiers cai 
hurrying past my hiding place I fell in behind th< 
and followed through the mazes of the pah 
until, in passing through a great hall, I saw t 
blessed light of day coming in through a series 
larger windows. 

Here I left my guides, and, slipping to the ne 
est window, sought for an avenue of escape. T 
windows opened upon a great balcony which ov 
looked one of the broad avenues of Zodanj 
The ground was about thirty feet below, and ai 
like distance from the building was a wall fu 
twenty feet high, constructed of polished gl; 
about a foot in thickness. To a red Marti 
escape by this path would have appeared imp 
[264] 



/ FIND DEJAH 


Me, but to me, with my earthly strength and 
;ility, it seemed already accomplished. My only 
ar was in being detected before darkness fell, 
r I could not make the leap in broad daylight 
bile the court below and the avenue beyond were 
owded with Zodangans. 

Accordingly I searched for a hiding place and 
lally found one by accident, inside a huge hang- 
g ornament which swung from the ceiling of the 
ill, and about ten feet from the floor. Into the 
pacious bowl-like vase I sprang with ease, and 
arcely had I settled down within it than I heard 
number of people enter the apartment. The 
*oup stopped beneath my hiding place and I 
iuld plainly overhear their every word. 

“ It is the work of Heliumites,” said one of the 
en. 

“Yes, O Jeddak, but how had they access to 
e palace? I could believe that even with the dil- 
ent care of your guardsmen a single enemy might 
ach the inner chambers, but how a force of six 
■ eight fighting men could have done so unob- 
rved is beyond me. We shall soon know, how- 
r er, for here comes the royal psychologist.” 
Another man now joined the group, and, after 
aking his formal greetings to his ruler, said: 

L 265 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“O mighty Jeddak, it is a strange tale I re 
in the dead minds of your faithful guardsn* 
They were felled not by a number of fighting me 
but by a single opponent.” 

He paused to let the full weight of this annount 
ment impress his hearers, and that his stateme 
was scarcely credited was evidenced by the imp 
tient exclamation of incredulity which escaped tl 
lips of Than Kosis. 

“ What manner of weird tale are you bringii 
me, Notan?” he cried. 

“It is the truth, my Jeddak,” replied the ps 
chologist. “ In fact the impressions were strong 
marked on the brain of each of the four guarc 
men. Their antagonist was a very tall man, wea 
ing the metal of one of your own guardsmen, ai 
his fighting ability was little short of marvelo 
for he fought fair against the entire four and va 
quished them by his surpassing skill and supe 
human strength and endurance. Though he wo 
the metal of Zodanga, my Jeddak, such a m; 
w r as never seen before in this or any other count 
upon Barsoom. 

“The mind of the Princess of Helium who 
I have examined and questioned was a blank 
me, she has perfect control, and I could not res 
[2 66 ] 



I FIND DEJAH 


)ne iota of it. She said that she witnessed a por- 
:ion of the encounter, and that when she looked 
:here was but one man engaged with the guards¬ 
men; a man whom she did not recognize as ever 
laving seen.” 

“Where is my erstwhile savior?” spoke 
mother of the party, and I recognized the voice 
of the cousin of Than Kosis, whom I had rescued 
from the green warriors. u By the metal of my 
first ancestor,” he went on, “but the description 
fits him to perfection, especially as to his fighting 
ability.” 

“Where is this man?” cried Than Kosis e 
“ Have him brought to me at once. What know 
you of him, cousin? It seemed strange to me now 
that I think upon it that there should have been 
such a fighting man in Zodanga, of whose name, 
even, we were ignorant before today. And his 
name too, John Carter, who ever heard of such 
a name upon Barsoom! ” 

Word was soon brought that I was nowhere 
:o be found, either in the palace or at my former 
quarters in the barracks of the air-scout squadron. 
[Cantos Kan, they had found and questioned, but 
le knew nothing of my whereabouts, and as to my 
last, he had told them he knew as little, since he 
[267] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


had but recently met me during our captivity amon, 
the Warhoons. 

“ Keep your eyes on this other one,” commander 
Than Kosis. “He also is a stranger and likel 
as not they both hail from Helium, and wher 
one is we shall sooner or later find the other 
Quadruple the air patrol, and let every man wh< 
leaves the city by air or ground be subjected t< 
the closest scrutiny.” 

Another messenger now entered with word tha 
I was still within the palace walls. 

“ The likeness of every person who has entere< 
or left the palace grounds today has been care 
fully examined,” concluded the fellow, “ and no 
one approaches the likeness of this new padwa 
of the guards, other than that which was recorde< 
of him at the time he entered.” 

“Then we will have him shortly,” commentec 
Than Kosis contentedly, “and in the meanwhiL 
we will repair to the apartments of the Princes: 
of Helium and question her in regard to the affair 
She may know more than she cared to divulg< 
to you, Notan. Come.” 

They left the hall, and, as darkness had fallei 
without, I slipped lightly from my hiding plao 
and hastened to the balcony. Few were in sight 
[268] 



I FIND DEJAH 


nd choosing a moment when none seemed near 
sprang quickly to the top of the glass wall and 
rom there to the avenue beyond the palace 
rounds. 


[ 2 6 9 ] 



CHAPTER XXIII 


LOST IN THE SKY 


ITHOUT effort at concealment I hastene' 



▼ ▼ to the vicinity of our quarters, where 
felt sure I should find Kantos Kan. As I nearei 
the building I became more careful, as I judged 
and rightly, that the place would be guarded. Sev 
eral men in civilian metal loitered near the fron 
entrance and in the rear were others. My onl 
means of reaching, unseen, the upper story wher 
our apartments were situated was through a; 
adjoining building, and after considerable manei 
vering I managed to attain the roof of a shop sev 
eral doors away. 

Leaping from roof to roof, I soon reached ai 
open window in the building where I hoped to fim 
the Heliumite, and in another moment I stood i: 
the room before him. He was alone and showe* 
no surprise at my coming, saying he had expects 
me much earlier, as my tour of duty must hav 
ended some time since. 

I saw that he knew nothing of the events o 


[270] 


LOST IN THE SKY 


i day at the palace, and when I had enlightened 
i he was all excitement. The news that Dejah 
oris had promised her hand to Sab Than filled 
a with dismay. 

“ It cannot be,” he exclaimed. “ It is impos- 
le! Why no man in all Helium but would pre- 
• death to the selling of our loved princess to 
; ruling house of Zodanga. She must have lost 
r mind to have assented to such an atrocious 
rgain. You, who do not know how we of 
dium love the members of our ruling house, 
inot appreciate the horror with which I contem- 
ite such an unholy alliance.” 

“What can be done, John Carter?” he con- 
ued. “You are a resourceful man. Can you 
t think of some way to save Helium from this 
>grace t 

“If I can come within sword’s reach of Sab 
lan,” I answered, “I can solve the difficulty in 
far as Helium is concerned, but for personal 
isons I would prefer that another struck the 
)w that frees Dejah Thoris.” 

Kantos Kan eyed me narrowly before he spoke. 
“ You love her! ” he said. “ Does she know it ? ” 
“She knows It, Kantos Kan, and repulses me 
ly because she is promised to Sdb Than.” 

[271] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


The splendid fellow sprang to his feet, s 
grasping me by the shoulder raised his sword 
high, exclaiming: 

“And had the choice been left to me I co 
not have chosen a more fitting mate for the f 
princess of Barsoom. Here is my hand uf 
your shoulder, John Carter, and my word t] 
Sab Than shall go out at the point of my swc 
for the sake of my love for Helium, for Dej 
Thoris, and for you. This very night I shall 
to reach his quarters in the palace. ,, 

“How?” I asked. “You are strongly guarc 
and a quadruple force patrols the sky.” 

He bent his head in thought a moment, tl 
raised it with an air of confidence. 

“ I only need to pass these guards and I < 
do it,” he said at last. “ I know a secret entrai 
to the palace through the pinnacle of the high 
tower. I fell upon it by chance one day as I \ 
passing above the palace on patrol duty. In t 
work it is required that we investigate any unusi 
occurrence we may witness, and a face peeri 
from the pinnacle of the high tower of the pal; 
was, to me, most unusual. I therefore drew n< 
and discovered that the possessor of the peeri 
face was none other than Sab Than. He v 
[272] 



LOST IN THE SKY 


lightly put out at being detected and commanded 
le to keep the matter to myself, explaining that 
be passage from the tower led directly to his 
partments, and was known only to him. If I 
an reach the roof of the barracks and get my 
lachine I can be in Sab Than’s quarters in five 
linutes; but how am I to escape from this build- 
lg, guarded as you say it is?” 

“How well are the machine sheds at the bar- 
acks guarded?” I asked. 

“There is usually but one man on duty there at 
ight upon the roof.” 

“ Go to the roof of this building, Kantos Kan, 
nd wait me there.” 

Without stopping to explain my plans I retraced 
ly way to the street and hastened to the barracks. 

did not dare to enter the building, filled as it 
r as with members of the air-scout squadron, who, 

1 common with all Zodanga, were on the lookout 
Dr me. 

The building was an enormous one, rearing its 
)fty head fully a thousand feet into the air. But 
jw buildings in Zodanga were higher than these 
arracks, though several topped it by a few hun¬ 
ted feet; the docks of the great battleships of the 
tie standing some fifteen hundred feet from the 

[273] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


ground, while the freight and passenger statioi 
of the merchant squadrons rose nearly as high. 

It was a long climb up the face of the buildin 
and one fraught with much danger, but there w; 
no other way, and so I essayed the task. T1 
fact that Barsoomian architecture is extreme 
ornate made the feat much simpler than I ha 
anticipated, since I found ornamental ledges ar 
projections which fairly formed a perfect laddi 
for me all the way to the eaves of the buildin 
Here I met my first real obstacle. The eav 
projected nearly twenty feet from the wall to whi< 
I clung, and though I encircled the great buildir 
I could find no opening through them. 

The top floor was alight, and filled with soldie 
engaged in the pastimes of their kind; I could nc 
therefore, reach the roof through the building. 

There was one slight, desperate chance, ar 
that I decided I must take—it was for Dejz 
Thoris, and no man has lived who would not rii 
a thousand deaths for such as she. 

Clinging to the wall with my feet and one han 
I unloosened one of the long leather straps of n 
trappings at the end of which dangled a gre 
hook by which air sailors are hung to the sides ar 
bottoms of their craft for various purposes < 

[274] 



LOST IN THE SKY 


ipair, and by means of which landing parties are 
>wered to the ground from the battleships. 

I swung this hook cautiously to the roof several 
mes before it finally found lodgment; gently I 
ulled on it to strengthen its hold, but whether it 
'ould bear the weight of my body I did not know, 
t might be barely caught upon the very outer 
erge of the roof, so that as my body swung out 
t the end of the strap it would slip off and launch 
le to the pavement a thousand feet below. 

An instant I hesitated, and then, releasing my 
rasp upon the supporting ornament, I swung out 
ito space at the end of the strap. Far below me 
ay the brilliantly lighted streets, the hard pave¬ 
ments, and death. There was a little jerk at the 
op of the supporting eaves, and a nasty slipping, 
grating sound which turned me cold with appre- 
tension; then the hook caught and I was safe. 

Clambering quickly aloft I grasped the edge of 
he eaves and drew myself to the surface of the 
oof above. As I gained my feet I was confronted 
>y the sentry on duty, into the muzzle of whose 
evolver I found myself looking. 

“Who are you and whence came you?” he 
ried. 

“I am an air scout, friend, and very near a 
[ 275 ] 



_ A PRINCESS OF MARS 

dead one, for just by the merest chance I escap 
falling to the avenue below,” I replied. 

“But how came you upon the roof, man? > 
one has landed or come up from the building f< 
the past hour. Quick, explain yourself, or I C 2 
the guard.” 

“ Look you here, sentry, and you shall see ho 
I came and how close a shave I had to not comir 
at all,” I answered, turning toward the edge < 
the roof, where, twenty feet below, at the end « 
my strap, hung all my weapons. 

The fellow, acting on impulse of curiosit 
stepped to my side and to his undoing, for as 1 
leaned to peer over the eaves I grasped him by h 
throat and his pistol arm and threw him heavi 
to the roof. The weapon dropped from his gras 
and my fingers choked off his attempted cry f< 
assistance. I gagged and bound him and th< 
hung him over the edge of the roof as I myse 
had hung a few moments before. I knew it wou 
be morning before he would be discovered, and 
needed all the time that I could gain. 

Donning my trappings and weapons I hasten* 
to the sheds, and soon had out both my machii 
and Kantos Kan’s. Making his fast behind mil 
I started my engine, and skimming over the edj 
[276] 





LOST IN THE SKY 


>f the roof I dove down into the streets of the 
ity far below the plane usually occupied by the 
tir patrol. In less than a minute I was settling 
afely upon the roof of our apartment beside the 
istonished Kantos Kan. 

I lost no time in explanations, but plunged imme- 
liately into a discussion of our plans for the imme- 
liate future. It was decided that I was to try to 
nake Helium while Kantos Kan was to enter the 
)alace and dispatch Sab Than. If successful he 
vas then to follow me. He set my compass for 
ne, a clever little device which will remain stead- 
: astly fixed upon any given point on the surface 
)f Barsoom, and bidding each other farewell we 
*ose together and sped in the direction of the pal- 
ice which lay in the route which I must take to 
•each Helium. 

As we neared the high tower a patrol shot down 
:rom above, throwing its piercing searchlight full 
lpon my craft, and a voice roared out a command 
o halt, following with a shot as I paid no atten- 
ion to his hail. Kantos Kan dropped quickly into 
he darkness, while I rose steadily and at terrific 
speed raced through the Martian sky followed 
)y a dozen of the air-scout craft which had joined 
;he pursuit, and later by a swift cruiser carrying a 

[« 7 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


hundred men and a battery of rapid-fire guns. E 
twisting and turning my little machine, now risir 
and now falling, I managed to elude their seard 
lights most of the time, but I was also losin 
ground by these tactics, and so I decided to hazar 
everything on a straight-away course and leave tl: 
result to fate and the speed of my machine. 

Kantos Kan had shown me a trick of gearing 
which is known only to the navy of Helium, thj 
greatly increased the speed of our machines, s 
that I felt sure I could distance my pursuers if 
Could dodge their projectiles for a few moments. 

As I sped through the air the screeching of th 
bullets around me convinced me that only by 
miracle could I escape, but the die was cast, an 
throwing on full speed I raced a straight coun 
toward Helium. Gradually I left my pursue! 
further and further behind, and I was just coi 
gratulating myself on my lucky escape, when 
well-directed shot from the cruiser exploded ; 
the prow of my little craft. The concussion near] 
capsized her, and with a sickening plunge st 
hurtled downward through the dark night. 

How far I fell before I regained control c 
the plane I do not know, but I must have bee 
very close to the ground when I started to rh 
[278] 



LOST IN THE SKY 


again, as I plainly heard the squealing of animals 
below me. Rising again I scanned the heavens 
for my pursuers, and finally making out their 
lights far behind me, saw that they were land¬ 
ing, evidently in search of me. 

Not until their lights were no longer discern¬ 
ible did I venture to flash my little lamp upon my 
compass, and then I found to my consternation 
that a fragment of the projectile had utterly 
destroyed my only guide, as well as my speed¬ 
ometer. It was true I could follow the stars in 
the general direction of Helium, but without know¬ 
ing the exact location of the city or the speed at 
which I was traveling my chances for finding it 
were slim. 

Helium lies a thousand miles southwest of 
Zodanga, and with my compass intact I should 
have made the trip, barring accidents, in between 
four and five hours. As it turned out, however, 
morning found me speeding over a vast expanse 
of dead sea bottom after nearly six hours of con¬ 
tinuous flight at high speed. Presently a great 
city showed below me, but it was not Helium, as 
that alone of all Barsoomian metropolises consists 
n two immense circular walled cities about seventy- 
Sve miles apart and would have been easily dis- 
[ 279 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


tinguishable from the altitude at which I was flyinj 
Believing that I had come too far to the nort 
and west, I turned back in a southeasterly dire 
tion, passing during the forenoon several othe 
large cities, but none resembling the descriptio 
which Kantos Kan had given me of Helium. I 
addition to the twin-city formation of Heliun 
another distinguishing feature is the two immens 
towers, one of vivid scarlet rising nearly a mil 
into the air from the center of one of the citie: 
while the other, of bright yellow and of the sam 
height, marks her sister. 


I 280 J 



CHAPTER XXIV 

TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 

\ BOUT noon I passed low over a great dead 
city of ancient Mars, and as I*skimmed out 
:ross the plain beyond I came full upon several 
lousand green warriors engaged in a terrific bat- 
e. Scarcely had I seen them than a volley of 
lots was directed at me, and with the almost 
ifailing accuracy of their aim my little craft was 
istantly a ruined wreck, sinking erratically to the 
round. 

I fell almost directly in the center of the fierce 
)mbat, among warriors who had not seen my 
Dproach so busily were they engaged in life and 
^ath struggles. The men were fighting on foot 
ith long-swords, while an occasional shot from 
sharpshooter on the outskirts of the conflict 
ould bring down a warrior who might for an 
stant separate himself from the entangled mass. 
As my machine sank among them I realized 
at it was fight or die, with good chances of dying 
any event, and so I struck the ground with drawn 
ng-sword ready to defend myself as I could. 
[281 ] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


I fell beside a huge monster who was engage 
with three antagonists, and as I glanced at hi 
fierce face, filled with the light of battle, I rec 
ognized Tars Tarkas the Thark. He did no 
see me, as I was a trifle behind him, and just thei 
the three warrriors opposing him, amd whom I rec 
ognized as Warhoons, charged simultaneously 
The mighty fellow made quick work of one o 
them, but in stepping back for another thrust h 
fell over a dead body behind him and was dowi 
and at the mercy of his foes in an instant. Quid 
as lightning they were upon him, and Tars Tarka 
would have been gathered to his fathers in shor 
order had I not sprung before his prostrate fom 
and engaged his adversaries. I had accounted fo: 
one of them when the mighty Thark regained hi 
feet and quickly settled the other. 

He gave me one look, and a slight smile touchec 
his grim lips as, touching my shoulder, he said, 

“ I would scarcely recognize you, John Carter 
but there is no other mortal upon Barsoom wh< 
would have done what you have for me. I thin! 
I have learned that there is such a thing as friend 
ship, my friend.” 

He said no more, nor was there opportunity 
for the Warhoons were closing in about us, anc 
[282] 




TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 


gether we fought, shoulder to shoulder, during 
t that long, hot afternoon, until the tide of bat- 
: turned and the remnant of the fierce Warhoon 
>rde fell back upon their thoats, and fled into 
e gathering darkness. 

Ten thousand men had been engaged in that 
anic struggle, and upon the field of battle lay 
ree thousand dead. Neither side asked or gave 
tarter, nor did they attempt to take prisoners. 
On our return to the city after the battle we 
d gone directly to Tars Tarkas* quarters, where 
was left alone while the chieftain attended the 
stomary council which immediately follows an 
gagement. 

As I sat awaiting the return of the green war- 
3r I heard something move in an adjoining apart- 
ent, and as I glanced up there rushed suddenly 
>on me a huge and hideous creature which bore 
e backward upon the pile of silks and furs upon 
rich I had been reclining. It was Woola— 
ithful, loving Woola. He had found his way 
ck to Thark and, as Tars Tarkas later told me, 
,d gone immediately to my former quarters 
lere he had taken up his pathetic and seemingly 
>peless watch for my return. 

“Tal Hajus knows that you are here, John 
[283] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Carter,” said Tars Tarkas, on his return from t 
jeddak’s quarters; “Sarkoja saw and recogniz 
you as we were returning. Tal Hajus has order 
me to bring you before him tonight. I have 1 
thoats, John Carter; you may take your cho 
'from among them, and I will accompany you 
the nearest waterway that leads to Helium. T; 
'Tarkas may be a cruel green warrior, but he c 
be a friend as well. Come, we must start.” 

“And when you return, Tars Tarkas? ” I aski 

“The wild calots, possibly, or worse,” 
replied. “Unless I should chance to have t 
opportunity I have so long waited of battling w 
[Tal Hajus.” 

“We will stay, Tars Tarkas, and see Tal Ha; 
tonight. You shall not sacrifice yourself, and 
may be that tonight you can have the chance y 
wait.” 

He objected strenuously, saying that Tal Ha; 
often flew into wild fits of passion at the rm 
thought of the blow I had dealt him, and that 
ever he laid his hands upon me I would be si 
jected to the most horrible tortures. 

While we were eating I repeated to Tars Tart 
the story which Sola had told me that night up 
the sea bottom during the march to Thark. 
[284] 



TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 


He said but little, but the great muscles of his 
ice worked in passion and in agony at recollec- 
on of the horrors which had been heaped upon 
le only thing he had ever loved in all his cold, 
•uel, terrible existence. 

He no longer demurred when I suggested that 
e go before Tal Hajus, only saying that he would 
ke to speak to Sarkoja first. At his request I 
ccompanied him to her quarters, and the look of 
enomous hatred she cast upon me was almost 
dequate recompense for any future misfortunes 
lis accidental return to Thark might bring me. 

“ Sarkoja,” said Tars Tarkas, “ forty years ago 
ou were instrumental in bringing about the tor- 
ire and death of a woman named Gozava. I 
ave just discovered that the warrior who loved 
lat woman has learned of your part in the trans¬ 
ition. He may not kill you, Sarkoja, it is not 
ur custom, but there is nothing to prevent him 
r ing one end of a strap about your neck and the 
:her end to a wild thoat, merely to test your 
ness to survive and help perpetuate our race, 
[aving heard that he would do this on the mor- 
>w, I thought it only right to warn you, for I 
n a just man. The river Iss is but a short pil- 
•image, Sarkoja. Come, John Carter.” 

[285] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


The next morning Sarkoja was gone, nor wa 
she ever seen after. 

In silence we hastened to the jeddak’s palaci 
where we were immediately admitted to his pre 
ence; in fact, he could scarcely wait to see me an 
was standing erect upon his platform glowerin 
at the entrance as I came in. 

“Strap him to that pillar,” he shrieked. “W 
shall see who it is dares strike the mighty T; 
Hajus. Heat the irons; with my own hands I sha 
burn the eyes from his head that he may nc 
pollute my person with his vile gaze.” 

“ Chieftains of Thark,” I cried, turning to th 
assembled council and ignoring Tal Hajus, “ 
have been a chief among you, and today I hav 
fought for Thark shoulder to shoulder with hi 
greatest warrior. You owe me, at least, a hea 
ing. I have won that much today. You claii 
to be just people — ” 

“Silence,” roared Tal Hajus. “Gag the ere; 
ture and bind him as I command.” 

“Justice, Tal Hajus,” exclaimed Lorqu; 
Ptomel. “ Who are you to set aside the custon 
of ages among the Tharks.” 

“Yes, justice!” echoed a dozen voices, and S' 
while Tal Hajus fumed and frothed, I continue 
[286] 



TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 


1 You are a brave people and you love bravery, 
where was your mighty jeddak during the fight- 
today? I did not see him in the thick of bat¬ 
he was not there. He rends defenseless women 
l little children in his lair, but how recently has 
: of you seen him fight with men? Why, even 
i midget beside him, felled him with a single 
w of my fist. Is it of such that the Tharks 
hion their jeddaks? There stands beside me 
v a great Thark, a mighty warrior and a noble 
n. Chieftains, how sounds, Tars Tarkas, Jed- 
: of Thark?” 

A roar of deep-toned applause greeted this sug- 
tion. 

It but remains for this council to command, 
1 Tal Hajus must prove his fitness to rule. Were 
a brave man he would invite Tars Tarkas to 
nbat, for he does not love him, but Tal Hajus 
afraid; Tal Hajus, your jeddak, is a coward, 
th my bare hands I could kill him, and he 
dws it.” 

After I ceased there was tense silence, as all 
:s -were riveted upon Tal Hajus. He did not 
:ak or move, but the blotchy green of his coun- 
ance turned livid, and the froth froze upon his 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


“Tal Hajus,” said Lorquas Ptomel in a co 
hard voice, “nev^ in my long life have I seer 
jeddak of the Tharks so humiliated. There coi 
be but one answer to this arraignment. We w 
it.” And still Tal Hajus stood as though p 
rified. 

“ Chieftains,” continued Lorquas Ptomel, “sh 
the jeddak, Tal Hajus, prove his fitness to n 
over Tars Tarkas?” 

There were twenty chieftains about the rostru 
and twenty swords flashed high in assent. 

There was no alternative. That decree ^ 
hnal, and so Tal Hajus drew his long-sword a 
advanced to meet Tars Tarkas. 

The combat was soon over, and, with his fc 
upon the neck of the dead monster, Tars Tark 
became jeddak among the Tharks. 

His first act was to make me a full-fledged chi 
tain with the rank I had won by my combats t 
first few weeks of my captivity among them. 

Seeing the favorable disposition of the warric 
toward Tars Tarkas, as well as toward me, 
grasped the opportunity to enlist them in my cai 
against Zodanga. I told Tars Tarkas the story 
my adventures, and in a few words had explain 
to him the thought I had in mind. 

[288] 



TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 


“John Carter has made a proposal,” he said, 
[dressing the council, “which meets with my 
nction. I shall put it to you briefly. Dejah 
loris, the Princess of Helium, who was our 
isoner, is now T held by the jeddak of Zodanga, 
lose son she must wed to save her country from 
vastation at the hands of the Zodangan forces. 
“John Carter suggests that we rescue her and 
turn her to Helium. The loot of Zodanga would 
magnificent, and I have often thought that had 
; an alliance with the people of Helium we could 
itain sufficient assurance of sustenance to permit 
to increase the size and frequency of our hatch¬ 
es, and thus become unquestionably supreme 
nong the green men of all Barsoom. What 
y you ?” 

It was a chance to fight, an opportunity to loot, 
id they rose to the bait as a speckled trout to a 

For Tharks they were wildly enthusiastic, and 
fore another half hour had passed twenty 
Dunted messengers were speeding across dead 
a bottoms to call the hordes together for the 
pedition. 

In three days we were on the march toward 
idanga, one hundred thousand strong, as Tars 
[ 289 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Tarkas had been able to enlist the services of thr 
smaller hordes on the promise of the great loot < 
Zodanga. 

At the head of the column I rode beside tl 
great Thark while at the heels of my mount trc 
ted my beloved Woola. 

We traveled entirely by night, timing 01 
marches so that we camped during the day i 
deserted cities where, even to the beasts, we we; 
all kept indoors during the daylight hours. C 
the march Tars Tarkas, through his remarkab 
ability and statesmanship, enlisted fifty thousar 
more warriors from various hordes, so that, t< 
days after we set out we halted at midnight ou 
side the great walled city of Zodanga, oi 
hundred and fifty thousand strong. 

The fighting strength and efficiency of this hon 
of ferocious green monsters was equivalent to t< 
times their number of red men. Never in tl 
history of Barsoom, Tars Tarkas told me, hi 
such a force of green warriors marched to batt 
together. It was a monstrous task to keep ev< 
a semblance of harmony among them, and it w 
a marvel to me that he got them to the city witho 
a mighty battle among themselves. 

But as we neared Zodanga their personal qua 
[290] 



TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 

fc " 

j were submerged by their greater hatred for 
red men, and especially for the Zodangans, 
o had for years waged a ruthless campaign of 
termination against the green men, directing spe- 
• attention toward despoiling their incubators. 
Now that we were before Zodanga the task of 
aining entry to the city devolved upon me, and 
ecting Tars Tarkas to hold his forces in two 
isions out of earshot of the city, with each di¬ 
ion opposite a large gateway, I took twenty 
mounted warriors and approached one of the 
all gates that pierced the walls at short inter- 
s. These gates have no regular guard, but are 
ered by sentries, who patrol the avenue that 
ircles the city just within the walls much as 
■ metropolitan police patrol their beats. 

Hie walls of Zodanga are seventy-five feet in 
ght and fifty feet thick. They are built of enor- 
us blocks of carborundum, and the task of 
ering the city seemed, to my escort of green 
•riors, an impossibility. The fellows who had 
n detailed to accompany me were of one of the 
Her hordes, and therefore did not know me. 
facing three of them with their faces to the 
I and arms locked, I commanded two more 
nount to their shoulders, and a sixth I ordered 
[291 ] 




PRINCESS OF MARS 


to climb upon the shoulders of the upper two. T 
head of the topmost warrior towered over fo 
feet from the ground. 

In this way, with ten warriors, I built a ser 
of three steps from the ground to the shoulders 
the topmost man. Then starting from a short c 
tance behind them I ran swiftly up from one t 
to the next, and with a final bound from the bro 
shoulders of the highest I clutched the top of t 
great wall and quietly drew myself to its bro 
expanse. After me I dragged six lengths of leatt 
from an equal number of my warriors. The 
lengths we had previously fastened together, a 
passing one end to the topmost warrior I lower 
the other end cautiously over the opposite side 
the wall toward the avenue below. No one w 
in sight, so, lowering myself to the end of i 
leather strap, I dropped the remaining thirty f< 
to the pavement below. 

I had learned from Kantos Kan the secret 
opening these gates, and in another moment i 
twenty great fighting men stood within the doom 
city of Zodanga. 

I found to my delight that I had entered at t 
lower boundary of the enormous palace groun< 
The building itself showed in the distance a bla 
[292] 



TARS TARKAS FINDS A FRIEND 


)f glorious light, and on the instant I determined 
:o lead a detachment of warriors direcdy within 
:he palace itself, while the balance of the great 
lorde was attacking the barracks of the soldiery. 

Dispatching one of my men to Tars Tarkas for 
i detail of fifty Tharks, with word of my inten- 
:ions, I ordered ten warriors to capture and open 
3 ne of the great gates while with the nine remain¬ 
ing I took the other. We were to do our work 
quietly, no shots were to be fired and no general ad¬ 
vance made until I had reached the palace with my 
fifty Tharks. Our plans worked to perfection. The 
two sentries we met were dispatched to their 
fathers upon the banks of the lost sea of Korus, 
and the guards at both gates followed them in 
silence. 


T 293 T 



CHAPTER XXV 

THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA 
S the great gate where I stood swung o\ 



+■ A- my fifty Tharks, headed by Tars Tarl 
himself, rode in upon their mighty thoats. I ! 
them to the palace walls, which I negotiated eas 
without assistance. Once inside, however, 1 
gate gave me considerable trouble, but I fina 
was rewarded by seeing it swing upon its hi 
hinges, and soon my fierce escort was riding acr< 
the gardens of the jeddak of Zodanga. 

As we approached the palace I could see throu 
the great windows of the first floor into the b; 
liantly illuminated audience chamber of Th 
Kosis. The immense hall was crowded with nob 
and their women, as though some important fu; 
tion was in progress. There was not a guard 
sight without the palace, due, I presume, to t 
fact that the city and palace walls were consider 
impregnable, and so I came close and peer 
within. 

At one end of the chamber, upon massive gold 


[ 294 j 


THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA 


:hrones encrusted with diamonds, sat Than Kosis 
and his consort, surrounded by officers and dig¬ 
nitaries of state. Before them stretched a broad 
aisle lined on either side with soldiery, and as I 
looked there entered this aisle at the far end of 
the hall, the head of a procession which advanced 
to the foot of the throne. 

First there marched four officers of the jed- 
dak’s Guard bearing a huge salver on which 
reposed, upon a cushion of scarlet silk, a great 
golden chain with a collar and padlock at each 
end. Directly behind these officers came four 
others carrying a similar salver which supported 
the magnificent ornaments of a prince and prin- 
:ess of the reigning house of Zodanga. 

At the foot of the throne these two parties sep¬ 
arated and halted, facing each other at opposite 
sides of the aisle. Then came more dignitaries, 
and the officers of the palace and of the army, 
and finally two figures entirely muffled in scarlet 
silk, so that not a feature of either was discerni¬ 
ble. These two stopped at the foot of the throne, 
Facing Than Kosis. When the balance of the pro- 
:ession had entered and assumed their stations 
rhan Kosis addressed the couple standing before 
aim. I could not hear his words, but presently 
[ 295 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 

two officers advanced and removed the scarl 
robe from one of the figures, and I saw that Kant< 
Kan had failed in his mission, for it was Sab Tha 
Prince of Zodanga, who stood revealed before m 

Than Kosis now took a set of the ornamen 
from one of the salvers and placed one of the co 
Jars of gold about his son’s neck, springing th 
padlock fast. After a few more words addresse 
to Sab Than he turned to the other figure, fror 
which the officers now removed the enshroudin 
silks, disclosing to my now comprehending viei 
Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium. 

The object of the ceremony was clear to me 
in another moment Dejah Thoris would be joine 
forever to the Prince of Zodanga. It was a 
impressive and beautiful ceremony, I presume, bi 
to me it seemed the most fiendish sight I had eve 
witnessed, and as the ornaments were adjuste 
upon her beautiful figure and her collar of gol 
swung open in the hands of Than Kosis I raise 
my long-sword above my head, and, with the heav 
hilt, I shattered the glass of the great window 
and sprang into the midst of the astonished asseir 
blage. With a bound I was on the steps of th 
platform beside Than Kosis, and as he stoo 
riveted with surprise I brought my long-swor 
[ 29 6 ] 




THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA 


down upon the golden chain that would have bound 
Dejah Thoris to another. 

In an instant all was confusion; a thousana 
drawn swords menaced me from every quarter, 
and Sab Than sprang upon me with a jeweled 
dagger he had drawn from his nuptial ornaments. 
I could have killed him as easily as I might a fly, 
but the age-old custom of Barsoom stayed my hand, 
and grasping his wrist as the dagger flew toward 
my heart I held him as though in a vise and with 
my long-sword pointed to the far end of the hall. 

“Zodanga has fallen,” I cried. “Lookl” 

All eyes turned in the direction I had indicated, 
and there, forging through the portals of the 
entrance-way rode Tars Tarkas and his fifty war¬ 
riors on their great thoats. 

A cry of alarm and amazement broke from 
the assemblage, but no word of fear, and in a 
moment the soldiers and nobles of Zodanga were 
hurling themselves upon the advancing Tharks. 

Thrusting Sab Than headlong from the plat¬ 
form, I drew Dejah Thoris to my side. Behind 
the throne was a narrow doorway and in this 
Than Kosis now stood facing me, with drawn 
long-sword. In an instant we were engaged, and 
I found no mean antagonist. 

[ 297] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


As we circled upon the broad platform I sa 
Sab Than rushing up the steps to aid his fathe 
but, as he raised his hand to strike, Dejah Thor 
sprang before him and then my sword found th 
spot that made Sab Than jeddak of Zodanga. A 
his father rolled dead upon the floor the new jec 
dak tore himself free from Dejah Thoris’ grasp 
and again we faced each other. He was sooi 
joined by a quartet of officers, and, with my bad 
against a golden throne, I fought once again fo] 
Dejah Thoris. I was hard pressed to defenc 
myself and yet not strike down Sab Than and 
with him, my last chance to win the woman ] 
loved. My blade was swinging with the rapidity 
of lightning as I sought to parry the thrusts anc 
cuts of my opponents. Two I had disarmed, anc 
one was down, when several more rushed to th< 
aid of their new ruler, and to avenge the death o: 
the old. 

As they advanced there were cries of “Th< 
woman! The woman! Strike her down; it is hei 
plot. Kill her! Kill her!” 

Calling to Dejah Thoris to get behind me J 
worked my way toward the little doorway back o: 
the throne, but the officers realized my intentions 
and three of them sprang in behind me and blockec 
[298] 




THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA 


my chances for gaining a position where I could 
have defended Dejah Thoris against an army of 
swordsmen. 

The Tharks were having their hands full in the 
center of the room, and I began to realize that 
lothing short of a miracle could save Dejah Thoris 
and myself, when I saw Tars Tarkas surging 
through the crowd of pigmies that swarmed about 
him. With one swing of his mighty long-sword he 
[aid a dozen corpses at his feet, and so he hewed a 
pathway before him until in another moment he 
stood upon the platform beside me, dealing death 
and destruction right and left. 

The bravery of the Zodangans was awe-inspir¬ 
ing, not one attempted to escape, and when the 
ighting ceased it was because only Tharks 
remained alive in the great hall, other than Dejah 
rhoris and myself. 

Sab Than lay dead beside his father, and the 
rorpses of the flower of Zodangan nobility and 
rhivalry covered the floor of the bloody shambles. 

My first thought when the battle was over was 
: or Kantos Kan, and leaving Dejah Thoris in 
:harge of Tars Tarkas I took a dozen warriors 
md hastened to the dungeons beneath the palace, 
rhe jailers had all left to join the fighters in tb* 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


throne room, so we searched the labyrinthii 
prison without opposition. 

I called Kantos Kan’s name aloud in each ne 
corridor and compartment, and finally I w: 
rewarded by hearing a faint response. Guide 
by the sound, we soon found him helpless in 
dark recess. 

He was overjoyed at seeing me, and to kno 
the meaning of the fight, faint echoes of whi< 
had reached his prison cell. He told me that tl 
air patrol had captured him before he reach* 
the high tower of the palace, so that he had n< 
even seen Sab Than. 

We discovered that it would be futile to attem; 
to cut away the bars and chains which held hi 
prisoner, so, at his suggestion I returned to sear* 
the bodies on the floor above for keys to open tl 
padlocks of his cell and of his chains. 

Fortunately among the first I examined I four 
his jailer, and soon we had Kantos Kan with i 
in the throne room. 

The sounds of heavy firing, mingled with shou 
and cries, came to us from the city’s streets, ar 
Tars Tarkas hastened away to direct the fightir 
without. Kantos Kan accompanied him to act ; 
guide, the green warriors commencing a thoroug 
[300 ] 



THE LOOTING OF ZODANGA 


search of the palace for other Zodangans and for 
.00 1 , and Dejah Thoris and I were left alone. 

She had sunk into one of the golden thrones, 
md as I turned to her she greeted me with a wan 
smile. 

“Was there ever such a man!” she exclaimed. 

‘ I know that Barsoom has never before seen your 
ike. Can it be that all Earth men are as you? 
^\ione, a stranger, hunted, threatened, persecuted, 
pou have done in a few short months what in all 
:he past ages of Barsoom no man has ever done: 
ioined together the wild hordes of the sea bottoms 
md brought them to fight as allies of a red Mar¬ 
tian people.” 

“The answer is easy, Dejah Thoris,” I replied 
smiling. “ It was not I who did it, it was love, 
[ove for Dejah Thoris, a power that would work 
greater miracles than this you have seen.” 

A pretty flush overspread her face and she 
answered, 

“You may say that now, John Carter, and I 
nay listen, for I am free.” 

“And more still I have to say, ere it is again 
too late,” I returned. “ I have done many strange 
things in my life, many things that wiser men 
would not have dared, but never in my wildest 

[301'J 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


fancies have I dreamed of winning a Dejah Tho 
for myself—for never had I dreamed that in 
the universe dwelt such a woman as the Princi 
of Helium. That you are a princess does r 
abash me, but that you are you is enough to ma 
me doubt my sanity as I ask you, my princess, 
be mine.” 

“He does not need to be abashed who so w 
knew the answer to his plea before the plea wc 
made,” she replied, rising and placing her de 
hands upon my shoulders, and so I took her in ] 
arms and kissed her. 

And thus in the midst of a city of wild confli 
filled with the alarms of war; with death a 
destruction reaping their terrible harvest arou 
her, did Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, ti 
daughter of Mars, the God of War, promise h 
self in marriage to John Carter, Gentleman 
[Virginia. 


[302] 



CHAPTER XXVI 


THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY 

S OMETIME later Tars Tarkas and Kantos 
Kan returned to report that Zodanga had 
been completely reduced. Her forces were entirely 
destroyed or captured, and no further resistance 
svas to be expected from within. Several battle¬ 
ships had escaped, but there were thousands of 
ivar and merchant vessels under guard of Thark 
ivarriors. 

The lesser hordes had commenced looting and 
quarreling among themselves, so it was decided 
Eat we collect what warriors we could, man as 
nany vessels as possible with Zodangan prisoners 
ind make for Helium without further loss of time. 

Five hours later we sailed from the roofs of 
he dock buildings with a fleet of two hundred and 
ifty battleships, carrying nearly one hundred 
housand green warrjors, followed by a fleet of 
ransports with our thoats. 

Behind us we left the stricken city in the fierce 
,nd brutal clutches of some forty thousand gree * 

[303] 


A PRINCESS OF MARS 


warriors of the lesser hordes. They were lootin 
murdering, and fighting amongst themselves. ] 
a hundred places they had applied the torch, ar 
columns of dense smoke were rising above tl 
city as though to blot out from the eye of heave 
the horrid sights beneath. 

In the middle of the afternoon we sighted tl 
scarlet and yellow towers of Helium, and a sho 
time later a great fleet of Zodangan battleshij 
rose from the camps of the besiegers without tl 
city, and advanced to meet us. 

The banners of Helium had been strung fro] 
stem to stern of each of our mighty craft, but tl 
Zodangans did not need this sign to realize th; 
we were enemies, for our green Martian warrio] 
had opened fire upon them almost as they left tl 
ground. With their uncanny marksmanship the 
raked the on-coming fleet with volley after voile; 

The twin cities of Helium, perceiving that v 
were friends, sent out hundreds of vessels to ai 
us, and then began the first real air battle I ha 
ever witnessed. 

The vessels carrying our green warriors wei 
kept circling above the contending fleets of Heliui 
and Zodanga, since their batteries were useless i 
the hands of the Tharks who, having no nay 

[304] 



THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY 


lave no skill in naval gunnery. Their smallarm 
ire, however, was most effective, and the final 
mtcome of the engagement was strongly influ- 
jnced, if not wholly determined, by their presence. 

At first the two forces circled at the same alti- 
ude, pouring broadside after broadside into each 
)ther. Presently a great hole was torn in the hull 
)f one of the immense battle craft from the Zodan- 
£an camp; with a lurch she turned completely over, 
:he little figures of her crew plunging, turning and 
wisting toward the ground a thousand feet below; 
:hen with sickening velocity she tore after them, 
ilmost completely burying herself in the soft loam 
if the ancient sea bottom. 

A wild cry of exultation arose from the Hel- 
umite squadron, and with redoubled ferocity they 
: ell upon the Zodangan fleet. By a pretty maneu¬ 
ver two of the vessels of Helium gained a posi- 
:ion above their adversaries, from which they 
soured upon them from their keel bomb batteries 
i perfect torrent of exploding bombs. 

Then, one by one, the battleships of Helium 
lucceeded in rising above the Zodangans, and in a 
>hort time a number of the beleaguering battleships 
vere drifting hopeless wrecks toward the high 
icarlet tower of greater Helium. Several others 
[ 505 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 

attempted to escape, but they were soon surround 
by thousands of tiny individual fliers, and abo 
each hung a monster battleship of Helium rea< 
to drop boarding parties upon their decks. 

Within but little more than an hour from tl 
moment the victorious Zodangan squadron h; 
risen to meet us from the camp of the besiege 
the battle was over, and the remaining vessels < 
the conquered Zodangans were headed toward tl 
cities of Helium underprize crews. 

There was an extremely pathetic side to the su 
render of these mighty fliers, the result of an ag< 
old custom which demanded that surrender shoul 
be signalized by the voluntary plunging to eart 
of the commander of the vanquished vessel. On 
after another the brave fellows, holding thei 
colors high above their heads, leaped from th 
towering bows of their mighty craft to an awfi 
death. 

Not until the commander of the entire flee 
took the fearful plunge, thus indicating the sui 
render of the remaining vessels, did the fightin 
cease, and the useless sacrifice of brave men com 
to an end. 

We now signaled the flagship of Helium’s nav; 
to approach, and when she was within hailing dis 
[306] 





THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY 


ance I called out that we had the Princess Dejah 
rhoris on board, and that we wished to transfer 
ier to the flagship that she might be taken imme- 
liately to the city. 

As the full import of my announcement bore 
a upon them a great cry arose from the decks of 
he flagship, and a moment later the colors of the 
Princess of Helium broke from a hundred points 
ipon her upper works. When the other vessels 
>f the squadron caught the meaning of the signals 
lashed them they took up the wild acclaim and 
mfurled her colors in the gleaming sunlight. 

The flagship bore down upon us, and as she 
wung gracefully to and touched our side a dozen 
>fficers sprang upon our decks. As their aston- 
shed gaze fell upon the hundreds of green 
warriors, who now came forth from the fighting 
helters, they stopped aghast, but at sight of Kan¬ 
os Kan, who advanced to meet them, they came 
orward, crowding about him. 

Dejah Thoris and I then advanced, and they 
lad no eyes for other than her. She received them 
gracefully, calling each by name, for they were 
nen high in the esteem and service of her grand- 
'ather, and she knew them well. 

u Lay your hands upon the shoulder of John 
[ 307 ] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Carter,” she said to them, turning toward rr 
“the man to whom Helium owes her princess 
well as her victory today.” 

They were very courteous to me and said maj 
kind and complimentary things, but what seem< 
to impress them most was that I had won the a 
of the fierce Tharks in my campaign for the libe 
ation of Dejah Thoris, and the relief of Heliur 

“You owe your thanks more to another m; 
than to me,” I said, “and here he is; meet one < 
Barsoom’s greatest soldiers and statesmen, Ta 
Tarkas, Jeddak of Thark.” 

With the same polished courtesy that ha 
marked their manner toward me they extende 
their greetings to the great Thark, nor, to my su 
prise, was he much behind them in ease of bearir 
or in courtly speech. Though not a garrulous rac 
the Tharks are extremely formal, and their wa } 
lend themselves amazingly to dignified and court! 
manners. 

Dejah Thoris went aboard the flagship, an 
was much put out that I would not follow, but, j 
I explained to her, the battle was but partly wor 
we still had the land forces of the besieging Zodai 
gans to account for, and I would not leave Tai 
Tarkas until that had been accomplished. 

[308] 



THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY 


The commander of the naval forces of Helium 
romised to arrange to have the armies of Helium 
ttack from the city in conjunction with our land 
ttack, and so the vessels separated and Dejah 
Toris was borne in triumph back to the court of 
er grandfather,Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Helium. 

In the distance lay our fleet of transports, with 
re thoats of the green warriors, where they had 
emained during the battle. Without landing 
tages it was to be a difficult matter to unload these 
easts upon the open plain, but there was noth- 
ig else for it, and so we put out for a point about 
sn miles from the city and began the task. 

It was necessary to lower the animals to the 
;round in slings and this work occupied the re- 
lainder of the day and half the night. Twice 
vt were attacked by parties of Zodangan cavalry, 
iut with little loss, however, and after darkness 
hut down they withdrew. 

As soon as the last thoat was unloaded Tars 
Parkas gave the command to advance, and in 
hree parties we crept upon the Zodangan camp 
rom the north, the south and the east. 

About a mile from the main camp we encoun- 
ered their outposts and, as had been prearranged, 
ccepted this as the signal to charge. With wild, 
[ 309 ] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 

ferocious cries and amidst, the nasty squealing c 
battle-enraged thoats we bore down upon th 
Zodangans. 

We did not catch them napping, but found 
well-entrenched battle line confronting us. Tim 
after time we were repulsed until, toward noon, 
began to fear for the result of the battle. 

The Zodangans numbered nearly a millio: 
fighting men, gathered from pole to pole, where 
ever stretched their ribbon-like waterways, whiL 
pitted against them were less than a hundred thou 
sand green warriors. The forces from Heliun 
had not arrived, nor could we receive any won 
from them. 

Just at noon we heard heavy firing all along th* 
line between the Zodangans and the cities, and w< 
knew then that our much-needed reinforcement 
had come. 

Again Tars Tarkas ordered the charge, ant 
once more the mighty thoats bore their terribL 
riders against the ramparts of the enemy. At th< 
same moment the battle line of Helium surget 
over the opposite breastworks of the Zodangan 
and in another moment they were being crushet 
as between two millstones. Nobly they fought 
but in vain. 


r 3101 





THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY 


The plain before the city became a veritable 
shambles ere the last Zodangan surrendered, but 
finally the carnage ceased, the prisoners were 
marched back to Helium, and we entered the 
greater city’s gates, a huge triumphal procession 
Df conquering heroes. 

The broad avenues were lined with women and 
children, among which were the few men whose 
duties necessitated that they remain within the city 
during the battle. We were greeted with an end¬ 
less round of applause and showered with orna¬ 
ments of gold, platinum, silver, and precious 
jewels. The city had gone mad with joy. 

My fierce Tharks caused the wildest excitement 
and enthusiasm. Never before had an armed body 
of green warriors entered the gates of Helium, 
and that they came now as friends and allies filled 
the red men with rejoicing. 

That my poor services to Dejah Thoris had 
lecome known to the Heliumites was evidenced 
ly the loud crying of my name, and by the loads 
of ornaments that were fastened upon me and my 
luge thoat as we passed up the avenues to the 
palace, for even in the face of the ferocious ap¬ 
pearance of Woola the populace pressed close 
ibout me. 


[311] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


As we approached this magnificent pile we we 
met by a party of officers who greeted us warm 
and requested that Tars Tarkas and his jeds wit 
the jeddaks and jeds of his wild allies, togeth< 
with myself, dismount and accompany them 
receive from Tardos Mors an expression of h 
gratitude for our services. 

At the top of the great steps leading up to th 
main portals of the palace stood the royal part] 
and as we reached the lower steps one of the 
number descended to meet us. He was an almos 
perfect specimen of manhood; tall, straight as a 
arrow, superbly muscled and with the carriage an 
bearing of a ruler of men. I did not need to b 
told that he was Tardos Mors, Jeddak of Heliurr 

The first member of our party he met was Tar 
Tarkas and his first words sealed forever the nei 
friendship between the races. 

“That Tardos Mors,” he said, earnestly, “ma 
meet the greatest living warrior of Barsocm is 
priceless honor, but that he may lay his hand o 
the shoulder of a friend and ally is a far greate 
boon.” 

“Jeddak of Helium,” returned Tars Tarka* 
“ it has remained for a man of another world t 
teach the green warriors of Barsoom the meanin 
f3I2] 







THROUGH CARNAGE TO JOY 


'■ friendship; to him we owe the fact that the 
>rdes of Thark can understand you; that they 
n appreciate and reciprocate the sentiments so 
■aciously expressed.” 

Tardos Mors then greeted ea:ch of the green* 
ddaks and jeds, and to each spoke words of^ 
iendship and appreciation. 

As he approached me he laid both hands upon 
y shoulders. 

“Welcome, my son,” he said; “that you are 
•anted, gladly, and without one word of oppo- 
"ion, the most precious jewel in all Helium, yes, 

1 all Barsoom, is sufficient earnest of my esteem.” 
We were then presented to Mors Kajak, Jed of 
sser Helium, and father of Dejah Thoris. He 
id followed close behind Tardos Mors and 
emed even more affected by the meeting than had 
s father. 

He tried a dozen times to express his gratitude 
1 me, but his voice choked with emotion and he 
uld not speak, and yet he had, as I was to later 
arn, a reputation for ferocity and fearlessness 
a fighter that was remarkable even upon war- 
:e Barsoom. In common with all Helium he 
Drshiped his daughter, nor could he think of 
!iat she had escaped without deep emotion. 

[313] 




CHAPTER XXVII 


FROM JOY TO DEATH 


F OR ten days the hordes of Thark and their 
wild allies were feasted and entertained, and, 
then, loaded with costly presents and escorted by 
ten thousand soldiers of Helium commanded by 
Mors Kajak, they started on the return journey to 
their own lands. The jed of lesser Helium with 
a small party of nobles accompanied them all the 
way to Thark to cement more closely the new 
bonds of peace and friendship. 

Sola also accompanied Tars Tarkas, her father, 
who before all his chieftains had acknowledged 
her as his daughter. 

Three weeks later, Mors Kajak and his officers, 
accompanied by Tars Tarkas and Sola, returned 
upon a battleship that had been dispatched to 
Thark to fetch them in time for the ceremony 
which made Dejah Thoris and John Carter one. 

For nine years I served in the councils and 
fought in the armies of Helium as a prince of the 
house of Tardos Mors. The people seemed never 

[314] 


FROM JOY TO DEATH 


to tire of heaping honors upon me, and no day 
passed that did not bring some new proof of their 
love for my princess, the incomparable Dejah 
Thoris. 

In a golden incubator upon the roof of our 
palace lay a snow-white egg. For nearly five 
years ten soldiers of the jeddak’s Guard had con¬ 
stantly stood over it, and not a day passed when 
I was in the city that Dejah Thoris and I did not 
Stand hand in hand before our little shrine plan¬ 
ning for the future, when the delicate shell should 
break. 

Vivid in my memory is the picture of the last 
night as we sat there talking in low tones of the 
strange romance which had woven our lives 
together and of this wonder which was coming to 
augment our happiness and fulfill our hopes. 

In the distance we saw the bright-white light of 
an approaching airship, but we attached no special 
significance to so common a sight. Like a bolt of 
lightning it raced toward Helium until its very 
speed bespoke the unusual. 

Flashing the signals which proclaimed it a dis¬ 
patch bearer for the jeddak, it circled impatiently 
awaiting the tardy patrol boat which must convoy 
it to the palace docks. 

[315] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Ten minutes after it touched at the palace a 
message called me to the council chamber, which 
I found filling with the members of that body. 

On the raised platform of the throne was Tar- 
dos Mors, pacing back and forth with tense-drawn 
face. When all were in their seats he turned 
toward us. 

“This morning,” he said, “word reached the 
several governments of Barsoom that the keeper 
of the atmosphere plant had made no wireless 
report for two days, nor had almost ceaseless calls 
upon him from a score of capitals elicited a sign 
of response. 

“The ambassadors of the other nations asked 
us to take the matter in hand and hasten the assist¬ 
ant keeper to the plant. All day a thousand cruis¬ 
ers have been searching for him until, just now 
one of them returns bearing his dead body, which 
was found in the pits beneath his house horribly 
mutilated by some assassin. 

“ I do not need to tell you what this means to 
Barsoom. It would take months to penetrate 
those mighty walls, in fact the work has already 
commenced, and there would be little to fear were 
the engine of the pumping plant to run as it should 
and as they all have for hundreds of years; but 
[316] 



FROM JOY TO DEATH 


the worst, we fear, has happened. The instru¬ 
ments show a rapidly decreasing air pressure on 
all parts of Barsoom—the engine has stopped.” 

“My gentlemen,” he concluded, “we have at 
best three days to live.” 

There was absolute silence for several minutes, 
and then a young noble arose, and with his drawn 
i sword held high above his head addressed Tardos 
Mors. 

“The men of Helium have prided themselves 
that they have ever shown Barsoom how a nation 
l of red men should live, now is our opportunity to 
i show them how they should die. Let us go about 
I our duties as though a thousand useful years still 
lay before us.” 

The chamber rang with applause and as there 
was nothing better to do than to allay the fears 
of the people by our example we went our ways 
with smiles upon our faces and sorrow gnawing at 
our hearts. 

When I returned to my palace I found that the 
rumor already had reached Dejah Thoris, so I 
told her all that I had heard. 

“We have been very happy, John Carter,” she 
said, “ and I thank whatever fate overtakes us chat 
it permits us to die together.” 

[317] 




A PRINCESS OF MARS 


The next two days brought no noticeable change 
in the supply of air, but on tha morning of the 
third day breathing became difficult at the highei 
altitudes of the roof tops. The avenues and plazas 
of Helium were filled with people. All business 
had ceased. For the most part the people looked 
bravely into the face of their unalterable doom. 
Here and there, however, men and women gave 
way to quiet grief. 

Toward the middle of the day many of the 
weaker commenced to succumb and within an houi 
the people of Barsoom were sinking by thousands 
into the unconsciousness which precedes death bj 
asphyxiation. 

Dejah Thoris and I with the other members oi 
the royal family had collected in a sunken garden 
within an inner court-yard of the palace. We con¬ 
versed in low tones, when we conversed at all, 
as the awe of the grim shadow of death crept 
over us. Even Woola seemed to feel the weight 
of the impending calamity, for he pressed close 
to Dejah Thoris and to me, whining pitifully. 

The little incubator had been brought from the 
roof of our palace at request of Dejah Thoris 
and she sat gazing longingly upon the unknown 
little life that now she would never know. 



FROM JOY TO DEATH 


As it was becoming perceptibly difficult to 
breathe Tardos Mors arose, saying, 

“Let us bid each other farewell. The days of 
the greatness of Barsoom are over. Tomorrow’s 
sun will look down upon a dead world which 
through all eternity must go swinging through the 
heavens peopled not even by memories. It is the 
end.” 

He stooped and kissed the women of his family, 
and laid his strong hand upon the shoulders of 
the men. 

As I turned sadly from him my eyes fell upon 
Dejah Thoris. Her head was drooping upon her 
breast, to all appearances she was lifeless. With 
a cry I sprang to her and raised her in my arms. 

Her eyes opened and looked into mine. 

“Kiss me, John Carter,” she murmured. “I 
love you! I love you! It is cruel that we must 
be tom apart who were just starting upon a life of 
love and happiness.” 

As I pressed her dear lips to mine the old feel¬ 
ing of unconquerable power and authority rose in 
me. The fighting blood of Virginia sprang to life 
in my veins. 

“ It shall not be, my princess,” I cried. “ There 
is, there must be some way, and John Carter, who 

[319] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


has fought his way through a strange world for 
love of you, will find it.” 

And with my words there crept above the thresh¬ 
old of fny conscious mind a series of nine long 
forgotten sounds. Like a flash of lightning in the 
darkness their full purport dawned upon me — 
the key to the three great doors of the atmosphere 
plant! 

Turning suddenly toward Tardos Mors as I 
still clasped my dying love to my breast I cried, 

“ A flier, Jeddak! Quick! Order your swiftest 
flier to the palace top. I can save Barsoom yet.” 

He did not wait to question, but in an instant 
a guard was racing to the nearest dock and though 
the air was thin and almost gone at the roof top 
they managed to launch the fastest one-man, air- 
scout machine that the skill of Barsoom had ever 
produced. 

Kissing Dejah Thoris a dozen times and com¬ 
manding Woola, who would have followed me, 
to remain and guard her, I bounded with my old 
agility and strength to the high ramparts of the 
palace, and in another moment I was headed 
toward the goal of the hopes of all Barsoom. 

I had to fly low to get sufficient air to breathe 
but I took a straight course across an old set 
[320] 



FROM JOY TO DEATH 


bottom and so had to rise only a few feet above 
the ground. 

I traveled with awful velocity for my errand 
Jwas a race against time with death. The face of 
Dejah Thoris hung always before me. As I 
turned for a last look as I left the palace garden 
I had seen her stagger and sink upon the ground 
beside the little incubator. That she had dropped 
into the last coma which would end in death, if 
the air supply remained unreplenished, I well 
knew, and so, throwing caution to the winds, I 
flung overboard everything but the engine and 
compass, even to my ornaments, and lying on my 
belly along the deck with one hand on the steering 
wheel and the other pushing the speed lever to its 
last notch I split the thin air of dying Mars with 
the speed of a meteor. 

An hour before dark the great walls of the 
atmosphere plant loomed suddenly before me, and 
with a sickening thud I plunged to the ground 
before the small door which was withholding the 
spark of life from the inhabitants of an entire 
planet. 

Beside the door a great crew of men had been 
laboring to pierce the wall, but they had scarcely 
scratched the flint-like surface, and now most of 
[32i] 



A PRINCESS OF MARS 


them lay in the last sleep from which not even air 
would awaken them. 

Conditions seemed much worse here than at 
Helium, and it was with difficulty that I breathed 
at all. There were a few men still conscious, 
and to one of these I spoke. 

“ If I can open these doors is there a man who 
can start the engines ? ” I asked. 

“I can,” he replied, “if you open quickly. I 
can last but a few’ moments more. But it is use¬ 
less, they are both dead and no one else upon Bar- 
soom knew the secret of these awful locks. For 
three days men crazed with fear have surged 
about this portal in vain attempts to solve its 
mystery.” 

I had no time to talk, I was becoming very 
weak and it was with difficulty that I controlled 
my mind at all. 

But, with a final effort, as I sank weakly to my 
knees I hurled the nine thought waves at that 
awdul thing before me. The Martian had crawled 
to my side and with staring eyes fixed on the single 
panel before us we waited in the silence of death. 

Slowly the mighty door receded before us. I 
attempted to rise and follow it but I was too 
weak. 


[322] 



FROM JOY TO DEATH 


“After it,” I cried to my companion, “and if 
you reach the pump room turn loose all the pumps. 
It is the only chance Barsoom has to exist to¬ 
morrow ! ” 

From where I lay I opened the second door, 
and then the third, and as I saw the hope of Bar¬ 
soom crawling weakly on hands and knees through 
the last doorway I sank unconscious upon the 
ground. 




CHAPTER XXVIII 

AT THE ARIZONA CAVE 


I T was dark when I opened my eyes agaii 
Strange, stiff garments were upon my bod] 
garments that cracked and powdered away fro] 
me as I rose to a sitting posture. 

I felt myself over from head to foot and froi 
head to foot I was clothed, though when I fe 
unconscious at the little doorway I had bee 
naked. Before me was a small patch of moonl 
sky which showed through a ragged aperture. i 
As my hands passed over my body they cam 
in contact with pockets and in one of these a sma 
parcel of matches wrapped in oiled paper. One c 
these matches I struck, and its dim flame lighte 
up what appeared to be a huge cave, toward th 
back of which I discovered a strange, still figui 
huddled over a tiny bench. As I approached 
I saw that it was the dead and mummified remair 
of a little old woman with long black hair, an 
the thing it leaned over was a small charcoal burn( 
upon which rested a round copper vessel contaii 
ing a small quantity of greenish powder. 

[324] 


AT THE ARIZONA CAVE 

Behind her, depending from the roof upon raw- 
lide thongs, and stretching entirely across the 
ave, was a row of human skeletons. From the 
hong which held them stretched another to the 
lead hand of the little old woman; as I touched 
he cord the skeletons swung to the motion with 
. noise as of the rustling of dry leaves. 

It was a most grotesque and horrid tableau 
nd I hastened out into the fresh air; glad to 
■scape from so gruesome a place. 

The sight that met my eyes as I stepped out 
:pon a small ledge which ran before the entrance 
>f the cave filled me with consternation. 

A new heaven and a new landscape met my 
;aze. The silvered mountains in the distance, 
he almost stationary moon hanging in the sky, 
he cacti-studded valley below me were not of 
Tars. I could scarce believe my eyes, but the 
ruth slowly forced itself upon me — I was look- 
lg upon Arizona from the same ledge from which 
m years before I had gazed with longing upon 
Tars. 

Burying my head in my arms I turned, broken, 
,nd sorrowful, down the trail from the cave. 

Above me shone the red eye of Mars holding 
er awful secret, forty-eight million miles away. 

[325] 






A PRINCESS OF MARS 


Did the Martian reach the pump room? Die 
the vitalizing air reach the people of that dis 
tant planet in time to save them? Was my Dejal 
Thoris alive, or did her beautiful body lie cold ir 
death beside the tiny golden incubator in th< 
sunken garden of the inner courtyard of the palac< 
of Tardos Mors, the jeddak of Helium? 

For ten years I have waited and prayed for ai 
answer to my questions. For ten years I havi 
waited and prayed to be taken back to the work 
of my lost love. I would rather lie dead besid* 
her there than live on Earth all those millions o 
terrible miles from her. 

The old mine, which I found untouched, ha: 
made me fabulously wealthy; but what care I fo 
wealth! 

As I sit here tonight in my little study over 
looking the Hudson, just twenty years have elapsec 
since I first opened my eyes upon Mars. 

I can see her shining in the sky through the litth 
window by my desk, and tonight she seems calling 
to me again as she has not called before sinc< 
that long dead night, and I think I can see, acros: 
that awful abyss of space, a beautiful black-hairec 
woman standing in the garden of a palace, and a 
her side is a little boy who puts his arm arounc 
[326] 



AT THE ARIZONA CAVE 


her as she points into the sky toward the planet 
Earth, while at their feet is a huge and hideous 
creature with a heart of gold. 

I believe that they are waiting there for me, 
and something tells me that I shall soon know. 



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